(Conservative) Cllr Jeff Potts Islamophobic/Racist tweets campaign

March saw the conclusion of a long running campaign by Birmingham/Solihull MEND volunteers to ensure that Solihull Councillor Jeff Potts’ Islamophobic tweets did not go unpunished.  Last year one of our local volunteers reported to us that Councillor Jeff Potts had been sharing/tweeting Islamophobic and racist tweets over a period of time.  We immediately contacted several councillors and local community members to verify that this was indeed the case.

We were the first organisation to issue an action alert encouraging people to complain to the council and have him disciplined for his action.  Our local volunteers also contacted the local media to ensure coverage of the incident.  One of our volunteers started a petition which got more signatures than the number of people who had voted for Jeff Potts.  Our local volunteers joined two demonstrations at the Solihull Council House, jointly organised with opposition Political Parties. MEND Birmingham and Solihull volunteers attended a full council meeting, where a motion against Islamophobia and all other types of hate was passed unanimously.  The highlight of the evening was a speech by Solihull’s only Muslim Councillor, Councillor Ade Ademeyor.

The Conservative group at the Council suspended Councillor Potts and following numerous complaints he was referred to the Council’s disciplinary committee.  The council’s disciplinary committee met in March, attended by several MEND members and volunteers, and agreed the full range of censure and punishment available to them, as they concluded that Mr Potts had breached the code of conduct for councillors.  The Conservative party has maintained their suspension and he is no longer one of their Councillors.

MEND maintains a close look at the position of Margaret Beckett, the other councillor who was accused of retweeting Islamophobic material.