Satirical post on government’s stay alert messaging defended by Lewes council leader

In a press release, Cllr Isabelle Linington, leader of Lewes District Council’s Conservative group, took issue with council leader Zoe Nicholson (Green) posting parodies of the government’s new ‘Stay alert, control the virus, save lives’ message on Facebook.

Cllr Linington described the posts – which included one spoof image containing swear words – as ‘lewdly offensive’. 

Cllr Linington said: “Everyone needs to retain a sense of humour in these difficult times, but this is totally irresponsible behaviour from someone in authority who should be encouraging residents to follow the government’s advice during the crisis not posting outright vulgarity.

“This was very poor judgement by someone who should know better it is the duty of elected leaders to uphold the high standards of behaviour in public life that we are all bound by in the council’s Code of Conduct.”

Cllr Linington’s press release goes on to describe Cllr Nicholson as “a committed Christian and former Churchwarden”. 

It also makes reference to the fact Cllr Nicholson and her partner became ill after contracting the virus some weeks ago.  

These comments have come in for criticism from Cllr Nicholson, however, who said Cllr Linington was attempting to ‘score petty political points’.

Cllr Nicholson said: “This satirical post about the government’s ‘stay alert’ message was shared by me in a private capacity and it goes without saying that it is not to be taken at face value.

“I apologise if some of the language offended anyone.

“The fact is that this post intended to draw attention to the government’s terrible failure to deal with the covid-19 crisis. 

“The problem is sadly all too real and Conservative opposition councillors should perhaps be spending their time writing to their fellow party members in government to ask for clarity on the muddled new guidance on lockdown rules, instead of trying to score petty political points.

“Oh, I am still a churchwarden, and I’m not afraid to criticise government messaging if I think it’s unsafe.”

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