Labour Group leader's apology to the National Holocaust Centre after 'inappropriate' Facebook post combines images of Boris Johnson and Adolf Hitler
A Labour Group leader has issued an apology to the National Holocaust Centre and Museum for a Facebook post that combined images of Boris Johnson and Adolf Hitler.
Paul Peacock, leader of the Labour Group at Newark and Sherwood District Council, met with the chief executive of the Laxton centre on Wednesday after it picked-up on the comment.
The post in question has since been removed, but was described as 'inappropriate' by the Holocaust Centre's chief executive, Phil Lyons.
"I have had a productive meeting with Paul Peacock this morning (Wednesday) which lasted nearly two hours, to discuss the Facebook post that compared Boris Johnson with Adolf Hitler," said Mr Lyons.
"The Labour leader has completely acknowledged the inappropriateness of posting this and the negative connotations that came as a result."
Mr Lyons said he took Mr Peacock around the Holocaust centre and highlighted the "slippery approach" some politicians take.
He said Mr Peacock (pictured) had expressed his determination to show positive leadership in the future and contribute to eliminating hate speech.
Responding to the condemnation of his social media post, which carried images of Mr Johnson and Hitler in similar poses and the text 'History eh?', Mr Peacock said he issued the centre and its chief executive with an apology.
"Phil has accepted my apology and is grateful that I contacted him to learn about the positive work that the National Holocaust Centre does," Mr Peacock told the Advertiser.
John Robinson, chief executive of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said concerns had been raised over the Labour Group leader's Facebook post and related comments.
He said: "Once he realised that these had caused offence he immediately withdrew the posting and has since apologised to the council and the National Holocaust Centre and Museum."
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