Ex-mayor in racism row launches attack on councillor after defending his actions

Former Romsey mayor Ian Hibberd has launched an attack on a fellow borough councillor while insisting he “isn’t racist” after previously posting a racial slur on social media.

Sixty-eight-year-old Hibberd, of Lee, slammed comments made by Test Valley councillor Steve Cosier, who described Hibberd’s actions as repulsive and shameful in a letter to The Romsey Advertiser.

Hibberd has been suspended by the Romsey and Southampton North Conservative Association (RSNCA) and is also being investigated by Test Valley Borough Council’s monitoring officer.

The slur was posted in response to a photo from Wellow councillor Harmeet Singh Brar and isn’t suitable to print in a family newspaper.

Now, attacking both Cosier’s teaching and political career, the association insisted his new comments on Facebook aren’t endorsed by the party in any way.

Cllr Hibberd said: “Councillor Cosier has, even for him, managed to reach the very lowest level of abuse.

“I am neither racist, or any of the other names he has dredged up from his dictionary in an attempt to castigate myself.

“Unlike councillor Cosier, who has an undistinguished career on the Liberal Democrat back benches, I actually turn up for my meetings.

“His attack, along with others on myself, is really about political points scoring. He and his colleagues are attempting to damage me, as they have been unable to beat me for the last 15 years.

“I have publicly apologised for this mistake. When the vicious, unacceptable vitriol and mock indignation, from the likes of Cosier affects my family, as it has, then I believe most fair-minded people will condemn this.

“This man is teaching our children. I am thankful that this apology for a person is not teaching my grandchildren.”

In a statement, the RSNCA said: “The executive council decided to formally suspend councillor Hibberd pending an investigation and hearing.

“As such, councillor Hibberd is not currently a member of the RSNCA and his subsequent comments made on social media are neither made on behalf of, or endorsed by, the Conservative Party in any way whatsoever.”

Councillor Cosier, who represents North Baddesley at Test Valley Borough Council, said Hibberd was trying to downplay the seriousness of his racist action.

He said: “Mr Hibberd’s ability to not take criticism, has shown how tenuous his position as a councillor actually is. What he has done, is to choose to protect himself by trying to play down the seriousness of the racist remark he made online. He has chosen to indignantly turn on me, to disengage himself from the uncomfortable truth over the racist slur posted.

“Let us not forget, that Romsey Extra’s Mr Hibberd has been suspended by the RSNCA, that in a statement he freely admits that his behaviour has fallen short of that of a Conservative representative and member, that the deputy leader of Test Valley referred to his racist remark as ‘abhorrent’.

“Any individual who benignly complains and then condemns my misuse of political correctness, where I defend others against racist slurs, is totally ignorant to the history of the culture they openly declare to support.”

Councillor Hibberd's full comments, as requested by the former mayor that is available in full through The Romsey Advertiser, and approved by councillor Cosier, follows: 

"Cllr Cosier, even for him, has managed to reach the very lowest level of abuse, with his letter to the Romsey Advertiser on Friday last.

"I am neither, racist, or any of the other names he has dredged up from his dictionary in an attempt to castigate myself and other Conservatives with his foul bile.

>>>Read: Ian Hibberd's comments are 'repulsive' - cllr Cosier

"Unlike Cllr Cosier,who has had an undistinguished career on the Liberal Democrat back benches, I actually turn up for my meetings to represent my constituents, unlike him, who attends every few months, to qualify to keep his seat, and to be able to continue to claim his financial allowance that all Cllrs receive, for doing next to nothing in his case.

"His impending retirement from the council, will be a considerable saving for the tax payer.

"His attack, along with others on myself, is really about political points scoring. He and his Liberal Democrat colleages, are attempting to damage me, as they have been unable to beat me in the borough, or local elections for the last 15 years, which clearly grates on them.

"My "abhorrent" crime was to ask in a question to another person on Facebook, unfortunately abbreviating the word 'Pakistan'.

"I have publicly apologised for this mistake, and again confirm that there was no intended racial slur whatsoever to the person who I directed my question to, which was :- 'Why are you wearing that Pakistani Clothing.'

"I am an experienced politician, and can take as good as I give to political opponents, but when the vicious, unacceptable vitriol and mock indignation, from the likes of Cosier affects my wife, family and grandchildren at school, as it has, then I believe that most fair minded people will condemn this, and find their words unacceptable.

"I am hopeful that fair minded people, will continue to treat this so called 'political correctness' for what it is.

"It is totally misused, by the likes of Cosier and his cohorts, giving him and them a platform to drag my name through the newspapers, and is totally out of proportion to any so called 'Crime'.

"This man is a teacher, teaching our children, I am thankful that this apology for a person is not teaching my grandchildren.

"I am extremely grateful for the huge number of messages of support that I have received, personally, and by telephone and email, totally rejecting this odious trend called political correctness that has crept in to our daily lives." - Ian Hibberd.