Stockton Tory councillor Susan Scott has resigned following a comment about Muslims which she posted on Facebook.
Writing on the Stockton Politics Facebook page, she declared:
“It is my opinion that the aspiration of the majority of Muslims is to make the whole world Muslim and they will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal and if we are not okay with that we ignore this threat at our peril.”
In reply, Mo Waqas, Chair of Stockton Liberal Democrats, posted:
“I think I must have missed that Muslim AGM. Do you have minutes for that meeting?”
Cllr Scott’s comments about Islam come at a sensitive time when there are deliberate attempts to stoke Islamophobia. The suspect in the murder of three children in Southport on 29 July was misreported as being a Muslim immigrant when he was in fact neither.
In a region currently suffering race riots, Muslims in Cllr Scott’s own ward would be affected.
Stockton LibDems issued a statement, saying that Cllr Scott’s comments,
“come at a particularly volatile time, as riots continue to erupt across the UK, fueled by misinformation and far-right extremist rhetoric. In Hartlepool, the Nasir Mosque was targeted during a far-right protest, causing fear and unrest among the local Muslim community. Similarly, Middlesbrough has witnessed a rise in racial tensions, leaving many Muslims scared to leave their homes.”
Waqas added:
“In light of the recent riots and attacks on mosques, it is especially irresponsible for Councillor Scott to be making such harmful statements.”
Stockton Council has officially confirmed Cllr Scott’s departure:
“The Proper Officer of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has received the formal resignation of Fairfield ward councillor, Susan Scott.
“A notice of vacancy has been published today and the Chief Executive of the Council, who is also the Returning Officer, will begin the process of holding a by-election in the ward.”
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