A row over homophobia has embroiled a former executive member of York council and the ex spin doctor for the Archbishop of York.
Labour activist and political blogger Kerron Cross has demanded that Lib Dem Cllr Darryl Smalley apologise or resign after being accused by him of homophobia.
For his part, Cllr Smalley says he has no intention of doing either – and has suggested Mr Cross apologise for his past comments.
The row began when Mr Cross, a Labour candidate for the South West Hertfordshire constituency in 2005, ruled himself out of standing in the forthcoming Selby & Ainsty by-election.
He wrote on Twitter: “Yes, I live in York and work in Selby, no I’ve not put myself forward for the forthcoming parliamentary by election.”
In a now-deleted tweet, Cllr Smalley replied: “Cause of your homophobic views m8?”
When asked to clarify the allegation, Cllr Smalley said it related to tweets from 2011, 2012 and 2013. The first tweet, directed at X-Factor Star Frankie Cocozza, read: “Bored of Bum Boy. #XFactor.”
A Tweet from 2012 read: “So believing marriage is between one man and one woman (the dictionary definition) is ‘homophobic’? #bbcqt.”
Lastly, in 2013, Mr Cross tweeted: “Can I just check, are the LGBT people I know that oppose gay marriage also considered bigots and homophobes? Support isn’t universal.”
“The tweet refers to a complaint made to the Labour Party about Kerron Cross,” said Cllr Smalley, the Lib Dem councillor for Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, and former executive member for culture, leisure and communities.
“Kerron routinely seeks elected office across the country, and to my knowledge, hasn’t apologised for past comments on social media which some members of the LGBT+ community find offensive.
“As an out bisexual councillor, I find them offensive. We all grow as individuals and society is slowly becoming more tolerant – if Kerron apologised for his past comments I’m sure that would be appreciated.”
‘Deeply offensive’
Mr Cross, who was communications director for the then Archbishop of York John Sentamu between 2009 and 2013, said the tweet regarding Frankie Cocozza was in relation to the singer showing a tattoo on his buttocks.
“As a long-time campaigner for LGBT+ rights and as a long-time fundraiser for Stonewall, I find the false allegations deeply offensive,” Mr Cross said.
“A quick search of my social media would show people that it is clearly untrue and not reflective of my actual views.
“Indeed, I have close relatives in my family who are LGBT+ who I have always supported, publicly and privately.
“I also find it ironic that the repeated false allegation from Darryl Smalley came on a day when I was taking part in events promoting awareness of LGBT+ rights and also separately raising awareness of the importance of men’s mental health.
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“Such deliberate false and misleading allegations take a great toll on individuals and their families.
“People who hold public office should think through the effects of their actions which greatly impact others.”
Mr Cross also ran as a Labour candidate for election to the Westfield ward in the May City of York Council election, but was narrowly defeated by Lib Dem Andrew Waller.
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