Councillor suspended during Facebook posts inquiry

A Doncaster councillor has been suspended pending an investigation into a number of Facebook posts criticising Islam.

The posts shared on Paul Cutts' Facebook page, created by other users and shared on his profile, included three which targeted the Muslim faith in a derogatory way, with a fourth criticising niqab face veils, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Cutts, who represents Wheatley Hills and Intake on City of Doncaster Council for Reform UK, will now sit as an independent councillor during the investigation.

A Reform UK Doncaster spokesperson said it would be examined "fully and fairly". Cutts has not responded to a request for comment from the LDRS.

Cutts added disclaimers to other posts shared on his Facebook profile, the LDRS said, expressing they were reposted "for information" and were not his views.

Labour's Sally Jameson MP, whose Doncaster Central parliamentary constituency includes Cutts' ward, said she was "appalled by the posts".

"Wheatley, Wheatley Hills and Intake residents deserve better from their elected representatives," she said.

The Reform UK Doncaster spokesperson said: "Reform UK does not support or condone content that targets or disparages individuals or communities on the basis of race or religion.

"Such content is not consistent with the standards expected of Reform UK representatives.

"In light of these concerns, councillor Paul Cutts has been suspended from the Reform UK group pending a formal investigation. This suspension allows the matter to be examined fully and fairly."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North