UKIP defiant over suspension call

Warren Bates - censured

OLDHAM Council leader Jim McMahon has asked UKIP if the party will be suspending Councillor Warren Bates following his censure for being “rude and disrespectful” to an elderly soldier.

Councillor Bates, who represents UKIP in Failsworth West, was found to have breached the code of conduct in the way he spoke to 84-year-old John Crompton, honorary chairman of Failsworth Historical Society.

Councillor McMahon’s question was posed on social media platform Twitter: “Will UKIP suspend a cllr found to have disrespected a(n) 84 year old former sold(i)er(sic)?”

An Oldham Council standards committee heard that Councillor Bates, speaking at Failsworth and Hollinwood district executive on July 31 last year, had asked “Who are you? You’ve never done anything” loudly and aggressively after Mr Crompton asked a question - even though the two men had known each other for many years.

Councillor Bates also allegedly gesticulated at the pensioner and then remembered his name “in a theatrical manner”.

UKIP responded to Councillor McMahon by making clear Councillor Bates would not be suspended.

The party also criticised the action taken against Councillor Bates by the council.

A UKIP spokesman said: “While not at all condoning rude behaviour, some of these charges are simply risible. They sound more like a bad comedy - and taking over four hours to do this? And spending how much taxpayer’s money? It looks more like a vendetta by the local Labour Party than a sensible use of time.”