An apology should be forthcoming

ELECTION time invariably gets the politicos' blood racing, and we've become used to (and accept) a fair quota of mud-slinging and recriminations from all parties '“ particularly when a general election coincides with local elections.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2010, 15:26 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:57 BST

This week's round of electronic fisticuffs started with Worthing Lib Dems demanding an "unqualified apology" from the local Tory fold over a statement in the Conservatives' Gaisford ward In Touch election communication, regarding who voted for what, and when, in the council's recent decisions on the West Durrington development.

The complaint came from the Lib Dems' group media co-ordinator, Bob Smytherman, a Tarring ward borough councillor.

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Now, Mr Smytherman is on the hard receiving end of an explosive reaction from the Tories over an extremely offensive entry on his public website, which is linked to the borough council.

The item, which pictures David Cameron and Boris Johnson, is captioned with a reference to Margaret Thatcher, using the four-letter C-word to describe her.

The entry was removed from the website on Monday, April 12.

That entry really was unacceptable in this, or any other, electioneering arena.

The Herald finds it astounding that James Doyle, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham, does not think that Mr Smytherman's actions reflected negatively on the party.

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He also digs the Lib Dems into a deeper hole by failing to see why a "cartoon" on a "personal website" was causing such an issue, and suggesting the Tories are trying to cause trouble.

Mr Smytherman, who is also a county councillor, claims the website entry had "nothing to do with the party whatsoever... it is my personal blog".

That's your opinion, Mr Smytherman, but it isn't one likely to be shared by a vast number of potential voters who will be helping to decide the Lib Dems' future on May 6, both locally and nationally.

Mr Smytherman was this week resisting calls for him to resign his council seats.

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It is up to him to consider his position on this matter, but it doesn't help his case by refusing to even offer an apology for such a crass error.

See the web version of the post controversy story here.

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Related topics:Margaret ThatcherJames Doyle