Councillor reinstated following controversial “send her back” tweet over Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A councillor who was suspended from the Conservative group after making a controversial tweet is back in the party, with an opponent branding the move a “slap in the face” to residents.

Councillor John Davey, representing the West Heath ward on Bexley council, has been reinstated after sitting independently at meetings since last October.

In a tweet from October 8, 2022, which has since been deleted, Cllr Davey made reference to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was released from prison by the Iranian Government earlier that year after the UK reportedly paid £400million for her release.

The councillor said in a tweet from his Twitter account: “Can we send her back and get our money back?”

Aaron Newbury, former chairman of the Erith and Thamesmead Conservative Association, said Cllr Davey had been suspended “following a complaint” on October 11. However, the Bexley council website now lists the councillor as a member of the Conservative Group again.

The topic was discussed at a Bexley council meeting on Wednesday of last week. Labour Councillor Zainub Asunramu asked the council leader if there were plans to give anti-racism training to councillors.

Cllr Asunramu said: “Rather than be nothing but contrite and apologetic about his more recent comments, you’ve doubled down in support of him, downplaying his racism and therefore slapping the faces of many of our residents across the borough.”

Conservative Councillor David Leaf said at the meeting that the council already provided training on equality regarding bias towards individuals and diversity.

He said issues on the topic of equality should be debated in moderation.

He said: “Not everyone will agree on certain things. Certain messages, certain communications that people say cause offence to some people, certain things don’t. It’s important to have those discussions in an open way and I think it’s important that people show understanding and respect.”

Labour Councillor Stefano Borella said the Labour group welcomed the council’s equality and diversity inclusion policy, but noted that councillors were expected to “lead by example”. The opposition leader then asked if the leader would condemn the remarks made by Cllr Davey.

In response to Cllr Borella, council leader Teresa O’Neill said: “Those remarks made went through a process that was determined by the monitoring officer. The result, as you know, did not say it was a racist comment. The matter has been resolved and we’re moving on from that.”

Cllr Davey, Bexley Council and the Erith and Thamesmead Conservative Association were approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. The Conservative Party declined the offer to comment.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was previously jailed for plotting to overthrow the Iranian government. However official charges were never brought, and she maintains her innocence.

Pictured top: Bexley Civic Offices (Picture: Google Earth)