Tory councillor suspended after tweeting ‘Let’s get ourselves a hanging’ during Grenfell Tower protests

A Conservative Party councillor has been suspended from his cabinet position after posting an offensive tweet during the Grenfell Tower protests.

Ken Hawkins, a councillor in Solihull in the West Midlands, has been suspended from his role as council member for housing and the environment after his remark on Twitter, posted during protests about the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Replying to an image posted on Twitter of protesters last Friday at Kensington Town Hall, Mr Hawkins tweeted: ‘Let’s get ourselves a hangin!’

The initial picture had been posted by Guardian journalist Martin Belam, who wrote: ‘Here’s the scene at Kensington town hall. The chant is “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!”’.

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The tweet has since been deleted, and Mr Hawkins has apologised.

He posted on Twitter: ‘The Grenfell Tower fire is a real tragedy and my thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends. In this day and age this fire should never have occurred.

‘I fully appreciate that my tweet on Friday which related to the protest outside and inside the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea council offices may have caused offence and I unreservedly apologise for that.

‘In no way whatsoever was the short message directed at the unfortunate victims of the Grenfell Tower fire and I am distraught that some people have interpreted it in this way.’

Solihull Council said it will carry out an investigation into the tweet while Mr Hawkins is suspended.

Council leader Bob Sleigh said he had taken ‘immediate action’ to suspend Mr Hawkins and that he would carry out the Tory councillor’s role in the meantime.

‘Like the whole country, I have been shocked and deeply move by the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower,’ said Mr Sleigh.

‘Over the weekend the council received a formal complaint about the actions of Cabinet Member Ken Hawkins.

‘In light of the complaint related to Cllr Hawkins’ comments on social media, an investigation will now take place led by the council’s monitoring officer in line with the council’s standards procedure.’