A MAJOR investigation is underway after a Merseyside councillor was accused of sending what appeared to be a racist 'joke' from her work computer.
The probe was launched after a resident complained about an email, allegedly sent by Councillor Christine O'Hare, who represents the Knowsley ward of Roby.
The message contained a picture of a camel sitting amongst a row of parked cars, below the caption: "How to tell if there is a terrorist at the airport..."
The entire IT network at Knowsley council has now been checked and councillors have been warned to stick to the borough's ethical code of conduct.
Coun O'Hare is married to fellow Labour councillor Brian O'Hare, who represents the St Gabriel's ward where murdered black teenager Anthony Walker lived.
Last year he told how as chairman of governors at Knowsley Hey high school he had previously expelled one of the racist murderers, Paul Taylor, from school.
The email allegation has outraged local anti-racism groups, who say any councillor should 'know better' ..
Gloria Hyatt, of the Merseyside Campaign Against Racial Terrorism, said: "Given the current sensitivity around race and faith in our country at the moment people need to be very responsible about the types of material that are unfortunately now widely available on the internet.
"Councillors in particular are in a massive position of responsibility and it would be totally unacceptable if it is proven this was sent by an elected member, particularly in Knowsley given what has happened here with Anthony Walker's murder."
News RSS Feed