Local MPs call on Reform NNC leader to suspend councillor after profile found on white supremacist dating site
Local MPs have called on the leader of North Northants Council (NNC) to suspend one of his group’s councillors after Cllr Gavin Beales’ profile was found on a leaked white supremacist dating site list.
Gen Kitchen (MP for Wellingborough & Rushden), Rosie Wrighting (MP for Kettering) and Lee Barron (MP for Corby & East Northamptonshire) have raised ‘grave concerns’ about NNC leader Martin Griffiths’ ‘lack of action’
The allegation concerning Cllr Beales came to light after an investigation by The Observer published on Sunday (January 11) using evidence from German hacker Martha Root from the WhiteDate site.
Cllr Gavin Beales, who represents the Brickhill and Queensway wards on NNC and Wellingborough Town Council, has said he ‘cannot recall the details’ of how his profile appeared on the dating site.
He was backed by colleagues after Cllr Beales said his profile may have ‘may have inadvertently been linked to another site’ after using a well-known lonely hearts service.
The MPs have called for Cllr Griffiths to suspend Cllr Beales immediately and investigate the allegations against him, including whether he shares the white supremacist views of the site he used.
The letter to Cllr Griffiths said: “As the MPs representing North Northamptonshire, we are writing to you on behalf of our residents to raise grave concerns about one of your councillors and to question the lack of action you have taken as leader.
“A shocking article published in the Observer last weekend alleged Reform Cllr Gavin Beales, who represents Brickhill and Queensway in Wellingborough, had previously been a user of a white supremacist dating site.
“A Conservative councillor in Somerset who was also discovered to have used the site has been suspended by her party.
“Whilst Cllr Beales' remarks since the article was published have attempted to put distance between him and the WhiteDate website, he has not denied using it – in fact referring to his using the site as something “minor”.
“When elected, councillors are given the privilege of serving their communities, and in return those communities expect to be represented without prejudice.
“Residents deserve better from you as the leader of North Northamptonshire Council and the people of Wellingborough deserve a better representative.
“We call on you to suspend Cllr Beales with immediate effect and investigate the allegations against him, including whether he shares the white supremacist “views of the site he used.
“Please write back to us with urgency about the next steps you plan to take.”