A TAMESIDE Councillor who resigned from his party after comments regarding immigrants were exposed is believed to have been reported to the police.
Ashton Waterloo’s Raymond Dunning stepped down from the borough’s Reform UK group following his implication in an ITV undercover investigation.
Now The Correspondent believes the matter has been flagged up to the Greater Manchester force as a hate crime, citing the ‘hateful language’ that was used.
Cllr Dunning, who will still sit as an Independent, Dunning is quoted as saying: “So first of all, I’d deport every other motherf***** in this country that doesn’t deserve to be here and their children as well.
“First thing, you’re f****** gone, bang. And then I’ll pick up the pieces after that.”
When pressed by an undercover reporter if hat would even include legal migrants, he added: “Even the legal ones.
“Because there’s nothing wrong with legal immigration as long as it’s done right, but there are certain people who have been granted permission to stay in this country who shouldn’t [have].
“18-30 year old young lads, train them up in the army in insurgency tactics, so they can go street-by-street, house-by-house picking the c**** up.”
Cllr Dunning is believed to have resigned from Reform UK before those, and other comments, became public.
The matter has sparked a reaction – with people citing both points of view – and a new former colleague of Cllr Dunning cited ‘people throwing stones from glass houses’ and added: “The hypocrisy is staggering.”
“Yes, Cllr Dunning made a huge mistake,” Cllr Jake Frater wrote, before turning his attention to Labour politicians, particularly those involved in the infamous Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group – particularly former Denton MP Andrew Gwynne.
He also took aim at the Green Party, which does not have a representative on Tameside Council
He added: “He has admitted that.
“We were opposed a lot but still remained professional and stayed that way. This time he didn’t remain professional.
“He’s not only made that mistake, he’s owned it. He resigned from the party instantly.
“Something that other groups could have taken some teachings on by Cllr Dunning, but to be clear, I don’t condone what has been said in its entirety.
“It’s pretty evident which parts because some of what he has said is Reform party policy.
“Illegal immigration must stop. Those who have arrived legally and commit crimes absolutely should go.
“Reform has announced investigations and suspensions following the latest revelations. Accountability must apply across every party.
“Those demanding consequences for their opponents should show exactly the same determination when their own colleagues are involved and not keep them in posts and rewarded with paid positions.
“I will not accept lectures built on selective outrage, double standards and convenient memories. NOBODY is safe from proper scrutiny especially when it comes to political views.
“To those throwing stones: do not get comfortable. I intend to challenge your record in Tameside and make sure that Tameside gets the change it deserves, and I’ll make sure that happens one way or the other.
“If you have withheld information from the public, expect scrutiny. Smears, distractions and attempts to portray yourselves as the victims will not make those questions disappear.”
After the matter was referred to Greater Manchester Police, the force will now evaluate whether any criminal offence has occurred.