A DROITWICH councillor and Wychavon candidate has apologised over offensive and ‘homophobic’ tweets he posted nine years ago, saying they were ‘absolutely appalling’ and now ‘filled him with disgust’.
Alan Humphries’ posts on sportspeople and politicians were highlighted in a national newspaper over the weekend.
Mr Humphries said the posts, which have since been deleted, were made before he was a member of the Labour Party and when he was very much a different person to the one he was now.
In a statement he said: “I was extremely ignorant and I did not understand how such language was promoting prejudice and how it would cause serious hurt and offence.
“Since becoming active in politics I have learnt about about the discrimination faced by so many people on the basis of their identity, including sexuality, gender, and who people love.
“These posts do not reflect the person I am today.
“I do not hold those abhorrent views, and I wholeheartedly support and champion LGBT+ rights.
“I would like to make an unreserved, unequivocal apology from the bottom of my heart for having made such comments.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes any complaints about homophobic language extremely seriously, which are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
Mr Humphries is standing in the Droitwich Central ward on Wychavon District Council and for re-election to the Central ward on Droitwich Town Council on Thursday, May 2.
