A Labour councillor has criticised Lichfield and Burntwood’s MP for using “inflammatory language” after he called people rioting in London common criminals.
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant made the comments after video emerged of clashes between police and protestors at a Black Lives Matter rally in London.
He said troublemakers “aren’t celebrating black lives – these people are just common criminals”.
But Cllr Dave Robertson, a Labour representative on Lichfield District Council and Lichfield City Council, said the MP’s choice of words did not help the situation.
“It’s really disappointing to see this type of inflammatory language used following the Black Lives Matter protest.
“At a time when we need level heads, this sort of poorly considered comment does nothing positive for anyone.”
Cllr Dave Robertson
Cllr Robertson – who stood against Mr Fabricant at the last General Election – added that the actions of some troublemakers should not overshadow the entire Black Lives Matter movement.
“I wouldn’t waste my time throwing insults around on Twitter and would be working to end institutionalised racism in the UK, as well as resourcing the police so that they can identify the tiny minority of people in London who used a peaceful protest as an excuse for violence.
“I really worry that some people are using the actions of this tiny minority as an excuse to ignore the importance of Black Lives Matter and the strength of feelings of millions in the country.”
Cllr Dave Robertson
Also ignorant of the fact that the people of Bristol have been campaigning for years to get rid of the Colston statue (and others) as well as change the streets and institutions named after slave traders. This is not some fashionable response, it is a bubbling pot that has boiled over, more than once.
MP’s comment the lack of understanding and empathy typical of Boris supporters and is of itself inflammatory
John Lane
Michael Fabricant is part of the problem. Not the solution.
As much as institutional racism must be stopped for my grandchildren’s sake I find Cllr Robinson’s remarks a contradiction in itself.
I watch where a member stated that their goal was on one part to dismantle the Police and there was a hatred to this government that I not only voted for but a majority did. I visited their go fund me page and saw an aggressive nature that I feel uncomfortable with and feel that it’s tone could be a propaganda tool for the far right when we should be uniting against them.
Nelson Mandela said “Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die”
https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ukblm-fund
Isn’t it funny how Labour mp’s always pop up their heads ‘after’ all events to criticise!! Id really loved to of seen how they dealt with covid and blm. Criticising over and over again! Work together for a change instead of trying to poison people’s minds to score votes !
Fabricant is an anachronism.
Michael fabricant is right.their disgrace ful behaviour is not honouring the man who died.a lot of the people who was quick enough to criticise cummings and others are quite happy to have an excuse to break the social distancing and mass gathering rules and see violence against the police and criminal damage go unpunished.then theres the disgraceful and dangerous behavour of walking on and closing the m6.they are critising the uks history in the slave trade but are very silent on the african involvement in capturing and selling their own people to the traders