Reform defends councillor calling immigrants ‘third world animals’ in social media post
Opposition politicians have called Tracy Clayton’s comments “profoundly offensive, dehumanising, and unacceptable”
Reform UK has defended a councillor who described immigrants as “third world animals” in a social media post, claiming people would “sympathise” with her comment.
In a Facebook post last week, Tracy Clayton, a Reform councillor in Kirklees, said she had gone to Greece on holiday because there were “no invaders” there.
Clayton went on to say that “since the Greek government stood up and said no” there is “no one raiding shops, no gang rapes on the beach, no Sheria [sic] courts, no man marrying a child!”.
She added: “Just normal (not 3rd world animals) HOW I MISS THAT ABOUT MY HOME LAND.
“If that makes me a far right racist, well you know what I don’t care!”.
Clayton has come in for heavy criticism from other councillors and Labour MPs over her offensive comments.
Yet Reform’s council leader, Sarah Wood, has defended her remarks, saying Clayton “raises an important point”.
Meanwhile, Reform has said Clayton’s comments were “correct” and that many people would “sympathise” with what she said.
A spokesperson for Reform said: “Cllr Clayton is completely correct. Britain has become completely unrecognisable as a result of mass immigration and the invasion of over 211,000 illegal migrants since 2018, many of whom bring with them cultures that are completely incompatible with our own and go on to commit the most heinous crimes.
“Many people in Kirklees will sympathise with Tracy’s comments.”
Labour MPs Kim Leadbeater, Jade Botterill, Paul Davies, and Harpreet Uppal, who represent communities across Kirklees, have called for Reform to address the situation and demonstrate that the council will “represent and respect all residents”.
In a joint statement, they said they were “deeply shocked and appalled” by the post.
“These comments are profoundly offensive, dehumanising, and unacceptable with holding elected office.
“There is a clear distinction between legitimate debate about immigration policy and language that dehumanises people based on their nationality, ethnicity or immigration status.”
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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