Council chairman resigns following social media comments

Chairman of East Herts District Council Martin Butcher has resigned with immediate effect following comments he posted on social media about Israel.

In short statement posted on the council's website, Council Leader, Councillor Ben Crystall, said: "I would like to thank Martin for his service to date. Over the past six months, Martin has supported the council in fulfilling its civic duties and championed various local initiatives.

"However, it has become clear that he wishes to ensure that recent events do not distract from the pressing local matters we are confronting here in East Herts, and I respect his decision to stand down."

The resignation comes after calls from both the local Labour Party and Conservative MP Jule Marson for Mr.Butcher to consider his position.

In a statement issued today (Friday 13th October), the local Labour Party said: "We are all shocked and appalled by recent events in Israel. We unequivocally utterly condemn the senseless murder of men, women and children – including British citizens – in cold blood by the terrorists of Hamas. The Labour Party believes in a two-state solution to resolve this long-running conflict: a secure Palestinian state alongside a safe Israel. The recent attacks by Hamas do nothing for Palestinians. We are also deeply concerned for the people trapped in Gaza, appalled at the ongoing loss of life, and saddened by the destruction of hope by war.

"Labour councillors on East Herts District Council were therefore dismayed by recent tweets and retweets on this conflict by Councillor Martin Butcher. As well as being Deputy Mayor of Ware Town Council, Councillor Butcher is Chair of EHDC. In this latter role he often represents East Herts Council at community events.

"In recent days on social media Councillor Butcher has called upon his own party (the Green Party of England and Wales) to condemn "Israeli murders of civilians", calling the Party's approach "one-sided" and "unacceptable". He has also retweeted a post describing the Hamas attack as "a bit wild", and has even criticised President Zelensky of Ukraine for condemning the attacks. 

"These comments do not appear in a vacuum. Councillor Butcher has consistently used his social media accounts to criticise Israel and justify attacks on its citizens."

"Councillor Butcher is clearly in breach of East Herts Council’s code of conduct for councillors, in that he has brought both his role and the council into disrepute. He should consider his position both as Chair of EHDC and as a councillor, and resign.

"We will be submitting a complaint to the Monitoring Officer about his conduct in the next few days."

In a letter to East Herts Council's Chief Executive Richard Cassidy and Leader Ben Crystal, Jule Marson MP wrote: "These comments are deplorable. At a time when we should be showing our solidarity with Israel, a councillor in a position of leadership at East Herts Council is seemingly validating the actions of a proscribed terror group. 

Responding to Mrs.Marson's comments, Cllr Butcher said: "I unequivocally support an immediate end to the violence in Israel and Palestine and want to be absolutely clear that the deliberate targeting of civilians is utterly unacceptable under any circumstances."

"What matters above all else is our collective commitment to forging a permanent and peaceful resolution, one that safeguards the lives of innocent civilians."

The process for appointing a new Chairman will be confirmed in the coming days.