Fury over Keighley councillor's 'suicide' tweet (From Keighley News)

Fury over Keighley councillor's 'suicide' tweet

9:00am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Alistair Shand

Immediate action has been demanded against a Keighley councillor who posted an online comment saying Bradford Respect MP George Galloway should “top himself”.

Coun Steve Pullen (Labour, Keighley East), chairman of the Keighley Area Committee, made the comment on Twitter on Sunday in reply to anti-Galloway user Where’s George.

The spoof feed said: “Will George actually do something for Bradford West this week?”.

Coun Pullen replied: “Maybe top himself?”

Coun Pullen claims it was only a light-hearted exchange, but it led to a furious response from Mr Galloway, who said: “I don’t know who Coun Steve Pullen is, but he’s an absolute disgrace, not just to the Labour party, but to humanity. It’s just a small step to encouraging someone to kill me.

“I have already received death threats in Bradford, and while I am sure Pullen is a just big bag of wind, a Tweet like this reveals exactly the kind of person he is. Odious in the extreme. I hope the electors of Keighley East take note.”

This week the MP’s office wrote to both Bradford Council leader, Coun David Green, and Labour Party leader, Ed Milliband, calling for some kind of punishment.

But Coun Pullen said the comment was not meant to have been taken seriously.

He added: “I’ve got no comment on this. There is obviously no way I’d advocate anyone killing themselves. One of his supporters must have got hold of it and got the wrong end of the stick.”

When asked if he would be taking any action, Coun Green said: “I have received the e-mail from George Galloway’s office, but I haven’t seen the Tweet. I will go back and look for it, but that is all I can say at this time.”