Abusive tweets sent in Tory councillor's name

Adrian Lee signing the Free Speech Charter last yearAdrian Lee signing the Free Speech Charter last year
Adrian Lee signing the Free Speech Charter last year
A series of expletive-laden tweets have been made on social media site Twitter in the name of a Conservative member of Horsham District Council.

The account uses a selection of four-letter words to disparage various politicians and celebrities.

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The Twitter account, registered under the name of ‘Adrian M Lee’ and with the handle @HorshamFellow, and its tweets were brought to the attention of the County Times.

The detailed content of the messages has been deemed to be unsuitable for publication in this newspaper.

However, the account has hurled abuse at celebrities such as Cher, Alec Baldwin and X-Factor star Honey G.

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It has made a derogatory reference to the USA’s Bill and Hillary Clinton while UK politicians of all stripes have received similar comments.

Former Conservative MP and mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has been referred to in derogatory terms along with Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary Emily Thornberry, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron and Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Other targets included Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono.

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Adrian M. Lee represents the Denne ward on HDC. On the council’s website his entry under the Register of Members’ Interests declares him to be chief executive officer of an aviation company, a member of the Institute of Directors, and a governor at the College of Richard Collyer in Horsham.

Mr Lee has not responded to several approaches for comment from the County Times.

However, the Twitter account has now been made private since he was asked to comment by the County Times and it has also blocked one of the newspaper’s reporters from following it.

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It took exception to another user pointing out that American President-elect Donald Trump could die before his inauguration.

The account responded: “Hopefully, you will die first.”

Ray Dawe, the Conservative leader of HDC, said: “Since nothing you have quoted concerns Horsham district or HDC, I feel it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment or be involved the matter.”

Tricia Youtan, chairperson of the Horsham Conservative Association added: “As these were sent in a strictly private capacity with no reference to HCA I have no comment to make.”

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