Brexit-backing councillor who racially abused Diane Abbott refuses to quit

71-year-old repeatedly described shadow home secretary as a monkey

A Brexit-backing councillor who posted racist abuse of Diane Abbott on Facebook has said that he will remain in his seat and will “let the public” decide his fate.

Richard Alderman, a member of Rutland County Council, also called for Theresa May and Anna Soubry to be executed.

The 72-year-old pleaded guilty to four offences under the 2003 Commmunications Act last week and was handed a six-month curfew at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

Richard Alderman was handed a six-month curfew (PA ) (PA)

Alderman told the judge, through his lawyer, that regaining British sovereignty was his primary concern.

The court heard that the independent councillor also reacted to Ms May’s handling of Brexit by writing that she was a “bitch” and that she should be hanged in public for “treason”.

Alderman, described in court as “pro-Brexit and anti-immigration”, admitted to writing six grossly offensive and menacing posts between April and July this year.

A post in May used an African word for a monkey to describe Ms Abbott and a follow-up post in June added “the monkey is out of her tree again, send it to the animal labs”.

The councillor’s defence lawyer, Sandeep Kaushal, said in court that his client was ashamed and wanted to apologise for his “ill-thought” posts.

“He has no intention of resigning his post.” Mr Kaushal said, adding that the councillor felt that political “backtracking” following the 2016 referendum was a major cause for concern.

“He states that he intends to stand for re-election and let the public decide whether they consider him to be a fit person”.

“His primary focus is Oakham South West. It is highly unlikely that this man will ever appear before the courts in such a way again.”

Mr Kaushal told the sentencing judge that he had asked Alderman what his primary concern was, and the councillor had replied: “I just want the UK to regain its sovereignty.”

The 71-year-old was allowed to walk free but must wear an electronic tag, which will be used to monitor a daily 7pm-7am curfew.

“It is your right to express strongly held views over the internet,” the judge told the councillor.

“However the 2003 Communications Act sets limits on that right. You accept that between April 22 and July 15 you crossed that threshold six times.”

“You advocated support for killing by execution and assassination [of Ms May and Ms Soubry] because you disagreed with their views.”

“You did so with the recent memory of the killing of a British member of parliament. I am satisfied you intended the comments to be grossly offensive and of a menacing character.”

“The offences are serious enough to warrant a community order and curfew requirement.”

Mr Alderman will now be referred to Rutland County Council’s standards committee, which will investigate and review his actions against its code of conduct.

“The council is unable to provide further comment until the standards committee has concluded its investigation,” a spokesperson for the authority said.

Press Association contributed to this report