Corbyn legal action against councillor over tweet

Jeremy Corbyn is set to take legal action against an East Riding councillor over a tweet depicting him at the scene of the recent Liverpool terror attack.

The former Labour leader said he had spoken with his solicitor about the tweet sent from Cllr Paul Nickerson’s account on Monday evening (November 15).

Mr Corbyn said: “My solicitor has been notified and we are taking legal action.”

Cllr Nickerson, who was suspended from the ruling East Riding Conservative group yesterday pending an investigation while currently remaining a Minster and Woodmansey ward member, declined to comment.

It comes as the councillor wrote to the Islington North MP apologising for the tweet which he claimed was sent after his account was compromised.

It featured a doctored photo of Mr Corbyn standing next to the taxi blown up outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital holding a Remembrance Sunday wreath, captioned: “Unsurprisingly”.

Cllr Nickerson wrote in his email to Mr Corbyn that he took full responsibility for the tweet and distress caused and maintained others sent it.

He added he was also aware that the tweet had caused particular offence in Liverpool, both due to the attack and local respect for the former Labour leader.

Cllr Nickerson deleted the tweet and has taken his Twitter account down after it provoked a backlash from figures including Labour Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy, among others.

He did not attend today’s full meeting of East Riding Council.

Beverley and Holderness Labour Chair Steve Gallant said the tweet was appalling and East Riding Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Denis Healy called on Cllr Nickerson to resign.

Cllr Jonathan Owen, Conservative and East Riding Council leader, said offensive messages from members no matter the intention would not be tolerated following Cllr Nickerson’s suspension from the group.

He added an investigation was now underway and that locals expected councillors to behave appropriately at all times.

Cllr Owen said: “All people in public life, irrespective of politics, should be united in condemning the terrorist attack that took place outside the Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Remembrance Sunday.

“It is not the time for inappropriate remarks, however intended, and they will not be tolerated in this Conservative Group.”

Cllr Nickerson said yesterday he felt his suspension was reasonable while a probe is conducted and pledged to co-operate fully.

He added he had since received death threats.

The councillor wrote in his email to Mr Corbyn: “I recognise that as a politician you will be open to many lines of criticism but I feel this fell below the high standards others and especially you personally have demonstrated in your own communications.

“You have worked tirelessly not just for your own constituency but for many in Liverpool and as an advocate of the people of Liverpool they have rightly been upset and offended by this.”

• Jeremy Corbyn