Corby Council leader's regret after foul-mouthed Twitter spat

He posted a series of abusive tweets to a Corby resident
Cllr Tom Beattie.Cllr Tom Beattie.
Cllr Tom Beattie.

The leader of Corby Council has said he 'regrets' the language he used after sending offensive tweets to a town resident.

Cllr Tom Beattie engaged in a foul-mouthed social media spat with a steelworker on Saturday night (February 20), leading to complaints to the Labour Party.

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The town resident had said Cllr Beattie's attitude was 'typical of right wing Labour' when the council leader said he "couldn't give a s***" that the steelworker wouldn't vote for him again in a dispute over Jeremy Corbyn.

After calling him a "pathetic keyboard ultra leftist t***" Cllr Beattie went on to send further tweets calling him a "w*****" and a "complete t*****".

In another reply to a tweet about a relative of the steelworker suffering from cancer Cllr Beattie, who was named council leader of the year in 2020, said: "Give.my (sic) head peace you boring t***."

Asked whether he stood by his comments, the council leader told the Northants Telegraph: "I regret using that language and I will try not to use it again.

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"If people want to engage in that type of activity on social media they will get a robust response."

Asked whether he will be considering his position Cllr Beattie, who will not be standing for re-election in May, said: "No, not at all."

Some social media users said they would be complaining to the Labour Party over Cllr Beattie's tweets, which appear to breach the party's own social media policies.

The party's website encourages members to treat all people with dignity and respect.

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It says: "Abusing someone online is just as serious as doing so face to face.

"We stand against all forms of abuse and will take action against those who commit it."

Corby Council's Conservative group leader, Cllr Kevin Watt, said people should never say anything on social media that they wouldn't shout down the canteen at work.

He said: "In the role that Tom is in, he will be disappointed in himself that he has made those comments and allowed the council to be associated with them."

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He added: "Perhaps the Labour group should reflect on if this is the style of leadership that they feel is best."

A Corby Council spokesman said: “Any official complaints received will be considered and dealt with by Corby Council through the appropriate channels.”

The Labour Party has been approached for comment but is yet to respond.