A town hall standards investigation has been launched after a Manchester councillor called for a criminal to be 'castrated' in a Facebook post.
Labour Fallowfield representative Jade Doswell was referred to the council's monitoring officer following comments about Asif Alam, who was jailed last month.
Alam, 40, from Burnage, was locked up for four years and hit with a 16-year restraining order having pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour; non-fatal intentional strangulation; assault by beating; and stalking involving fear of violence.
Details of the case
A court heard he abused and assaulted a woman over a 10-year period, beginning when she was 15 and he was 28. Greater Manchester Police posted details of the case on a south Manchester divisional Facebook page.
Coun Doswell responded in a now deleted comment: "4 years is disgusting. He should be castrated. That poor woman. Well done to her on coming forward and I hope she can rebuild her life. Why is it always men and how much longer do women have to put up with this?"
Councillor's response
The councillor, responding to the Manchester Evening News' request for comment, said she was 'fully cooperating' with the council investigation.
A Labour spokesperson said: "The comments made on social media by Councillor Doswell were inappropriate and do not reflect the standards that the Labour Group expects."
"The post was made in response to a deeply disturbing case of violence against a woman. However, Councillor Doswell accepts that the language used was inappropriate, has withdrawn the comments and removed the post."
Standards reminder
"The Labour Group Whip has spoken with Councillor Doswell and reminded her of the standards expected of elected representatives."
"Violence against women and girls is an issue that understandably generates strong feelings, but elected members must express those views appropriately."
