26.09.18
Councillor charged by police over indecent social media posts
Councillor Richard Alderman has been charged by police for allegedly posting “offensive” and “obscene” messages on social media.
The 72-year-old, who was elected into Rutland County Council earlier this year, has been charged with a communications offence by Leicestershire Police.
He has been charged with three counts of sending an “offensive, indecent, obscene, menacing message or matter” related to messages posted on 16 June and 15 July 2018.
Rutland County Council has said it is aware of the charges brought against Alderman and will follow the case closely.
It said: “We are unable to comment further at this stage and will begin an internal review process to examine Cllr Alderman’s conduct as soon as formal legal proceedings have ended.”
Alderman is an independent councillor at Rutland CC and was elected in a by-election on 12 July 2018.
The council was made aware of the posts on 16 July, which were then referred to the council’s monitoring officer and reported to the police.
He will now appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 27 September.
In July, the county council said: “We wholly condemn the use of racist and bigoted behaviour. This is not acceptable in our communities or our council.”
Rutland County Council leader Oliver Hemsley said: “Like all of you, I have been truly shocked and appalled by the updates that have been posted and shared on councillor Richard Alderman’s Facebook page.
“It is now abundantly clear that Cllr Alderman is unfit to hold public office and it is inconceivable that his constituents will want him to remain in place as their representative.”
Also back in July, Marc Oxley, leader of the council’s independent group, said: “I am disgusted to read the newly elected councillor’s comments on Facebook.
“He is not affiliated with the Council’s Independent Group.
“I wholly support the action being taken by Councillor Hemsley and Rutland County Council and trust the authorities to deal with this sufficiently.”
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Image credit - Chris Radburn/PA Archive/PA Images