Halesowen Councillor Ken Turner will be able to keep his position on the Fire Authority despite his racist email gaffe.
The Hayley Green and Cradley South councillor suspended himself from the Conservative Party after sending a racist joke to all Dudley Councillors by email.
However, position at the Fire Authority, which he is entitled to £3,500 allowances, is safe despite all members having to stick to a strict code of conduct which includes the pledge ‘to treat people with respect’ and ‘comply with the equality act.
A spokesman for the West Midlands Fire Service said: “Councillor Turner can still be a member of the Fire Authority until such time as he resigns or is removed by his appointing Authority.
“Therefore he has not been suspended by West Midlands Fire Service.”
Halesowen and Rowley Regis Conservative MP James Morris refused to be drawn on the storm over the racist email.
Despite several requests from the Halesowen News the MP and his spokesman would only say that he had ‘nothing further to add to the comments given by the Conservative Party spokesman’.
The MP’s spokesman also said he would not comment on the statement by Tory chiefs that the racist joke ‘had no place in the Conservative Party’.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel