One of the Reform MPs elected in Bradford last week is no longer a representative of the party, the leader of the Reform Party council has said.
Daniel Devaney, who was elected as one of three reform councilors for Clayton Green and Fairweather Green on May 7, apologized before the election for previously describing Muslims as “pure scum” on social media.
Stephen Price, the new leader of Bradford Council’s reform group, told BBC Politics North that Devaney “is not a reform MP” and must “either stand as an independent or not stand at all – which will force a by-election – it is entirely up to him”.
The BBC has contacted Devaney for comment but has yet to respond.
Devaney apologizes ahead of local elections after previously saying on social media he would ‘explode’ [Muslims] off the face of the earth”.
He told the Telegraph and Argus the comment “was wrong and was made while I was watching TV when I was in a bad mood”.
He added: “They’re not scum, it’s a bad thing to say and I regret it.”
He also told the newspaper before the election that he would not run.
However, on 7 May, Devaney received 1,387 votes in the Clayton and Fairweather Green constituency and was subsequently elected as one of the Reform MPs.
Five days ago, he thanked supporters in a Facebook post and said he would “do the best I can.”
The Reform Party won 29 of 87 seats at last week’s Bradford election, ending Labour’s control of power but falling short of a majority.
Stephen Place is the new leader of Bradford Council’s UK Reform Group [BBC]
Price told BBC Politics North: “What he does now is entirely his decision, but he is not a reform MP.”
“Words have consequences and I do not condone his comments at all – they were horrific and he should not have said them,” Press said.
However, he added that Devaney was “completely devastated” and had previously issued a “heartfelt apology”.
“What he said was wrong, but I have to sympathize with him for the consequences. It absolutely destroyed him,” Press said.
Devaney is still listed on the Bradford Council website as one of three reform councilors in the Clayton and Fairweather constituency.
Place said information on the authority’s website needs to be updated.
“We need to change that. What he does now is entirely his decision, but he is not a reform MP,” he said.
Bradford Council has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond.
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