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18th Nov 2021

Jeremy Corbyn suing Tory councillor over doctored Liverpool bomb photo

Ava Evans

The former Labour leader is taking legal action against a Tory Councillor who mocked the Liverpool terror attack

On Monday November 15, Tory councillor Paul Nickerson’s Twitter account posted tweets accusing the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, of “praising and entertaining terrorist and terrorist organisations”.

The series of tweets were accompanied by an image of a burning taxi, with Corbyn depicted laying a wreath onto the burning vehicle.

The now-suspended councillor is understood to have written an apology to the Islington North MP and has claimed he did not post the tweet himself.

A spokesman for Corbyn told the PA news agency that he had contacted his solicitor and was taking legal action over the post.

The string of tweets were deleted in the early hours of Tuesday morning after the Tory councillor faced accusations of trivialising Sunday’s horrific attack in Liverpool.

The councillor has now been suspended from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Conservative Group with immediate effect.

A statement from Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Jonathan Owen read: “Following an inappropriate and offensive message which appeared on Councillor Paul Nickerson’s Twitter feed, I have suspended him from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Conservative Group with immediate effect and an investigation will now take place.

“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.

“Residents should expect their elected representatives to act in an appropriate manner at all times.”

Following the suspension, Nickerson released a statement that said: “I would like to apologise for a political tweet sent from my account yesterday which has been upsetting for some people and I unreservedly apologise to all concerned.”

Nickerson’s Twitter account appears to have been deleted or temporarily suspended.
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