It came to our attention late on Thursday 3rd May that Councillor Ben Lloyd-Shogbesan had shared material, posted by other organisations and individuals, on his Facebook site, which both he on reflection and the leadership of the Oxford City Council Labour Group consider inappropriate and incompatible with Oxford Labour Party values.
Cllr Lloyd-Shogbesan, who is one of two Councillors representing Lye Valley on Oxford City Council, took down his Facebook site on Friday 4th May and it is no longer active.
Statement by Cllr Ben Lloyd-Shogbesan, Oxford City Council on May 7th 2018.
” I am very sorry for any offence my sharing of articles and videos on social media has caused to those who have accessed them. These posts do not reflect my views now and I apologise for having disseminated them and implicitly endorsed them. I am committed to fighting all forms of racism and discrimination including anti-semitism and homophobia. And I will use the opportunity given to me by my re- election last week to the Oxford City Council to do so and help create a society where we can discuss strongly held views in a tolerant and mutually respectful way. ”
Statement by Cllr Susan Brown, Leader, Labour Group, Oxford City Council on May 7th 2018
” This matter came to my attention late last week. These posts are extremely disappointing and I asked Cllr Lloyd-Shogbesan to remove them immediately from his social media account. He has done so and he has apologized for his actions.
As Labour Councillors, we came into politics to tackle prejudice, injustice and to celebrate diversity so we take these issues extremely seriously.
Anti-Semitism or any form of discrimination has absolutely no place in the Party, and we are committed to challenging and campaigning against it all its forms.
Current events both in and outside the UK often arouse strong views, but as elected Councillors, we have even more of a duty than the average citizen to conduct that debate in a tolerant and appropriate way. I have referred this matter to our national party for it to consider what further action, if any, may need to be taken.”
ENDS