Middlesbrough councillor denies homophobia accusation

A councillor has “absolutely denied” accusations that he subjected a man to a “torrent of homophobic abuse” following a council meeting.

Cllr Terry Lawton, independent councillor for Brambles and Thorntree, has been invited to speak to police following an accusation by a 27-year-old man that he directed abusive language “of a homophobic nature” at him.

But Cllr Lawton has denied ever using any homophobic language and claims the accusation has been made up by his political opponents.

“I’m denying any homophobia, absolutely,” he said.

“I feel there is a plan to discredit me before the elections which are coming up.”

Cllr Lawton said the accusation against him was only made after he had first complained about the verbal abuse he had received from two men who had attended the meeting of Middlesbrough Council at Middlesbrough Town Hall on October 17.

“I reported it by email to the council’s monitoring officer, Bryn Roberts, at about 10.30pm on Wednesday and suggested he have a quiet word with them rather than blow it out of proportion.”

But in his response on October 23, Mr Roberts said one of the men had accused Cllr Lawton of directing a “torrent of homophobic abuse” at him.

Cllr Lawton denies the accusation against him and says he has no idea what his accuser has told police.

“The police came to my house and asked me to come down to the station at 10am on Monday,” Cllr Lawton said.

“I’m accused of homophobia – I’m really keen to find out what it is I’m supposed to have said.

“Like I say, I absolutely deny saying anything homophobic.”

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Police received a report of verbal abuse, said by the 27-year-old caller to be of a homophobic nature, just before 9.30pm on Wednesday October 17.

“The caller was given advice as to how this would be dealt with and was happy with the initial response. Inquiries are on going.