Sharon Graham must condemn “homophobic” comments by EC candidate on her slate
Warning: Homophobia, far-right content
Sharon Graham is under pressure to condemn “homophobic” and far right supporting comments made by Kenny Dinsdale, who is standing as an Executive Council candidate on Graham’s slate.
A Facebook post has emerged of Dinsdale cheering on the release of far-right street thug Tommy Robinson. Robinson was bailed on the same day following a 10 month prison sentence for contempt of court.
Dinsdale:
“Get in there … Tommy Robinson has won his appeal and will be freed.”
In a separate post Dinsdale takes exception to coming across a copy of Gay London Guide in a pub:
Dinsdale:
“Called into a nice looking bar in Leister (sic) square and then realised me and Paul were in the middle of rainbow country after finding this leaflet on all the tables and fpackets of free condoms. So a decision was made to drink up sharpish and bolt for the door.”
The post was accompanied by a photo of Gay London Guide from Dinsdale’s phone.
The comment was called out as “homophobic” by Natalie Osbourne, the current EC member for Passenger Transport. Reunite understands industrial and equalities reps are lodging complaints and demanding answers.
Whether Dinsdale stands by or apologises for his comments (made in 2018), this exposes the central problem that Graham’s slate of candidates have all been chosen with one quality in mind: loyalty to Sharon Graham. It would have been wiser to find out what else her candidates believe.
This also exposes the danger of Sharon Graham’s silence on Reform and the far-right. It has now been a month since Reform declared war on workers with their intention of attacking our members’ working and equalities protections. We are now two months from the far-right attack on our own union’s office in Southampton. Graham’s silence on both continues.
Graham’s silence has repercussions. Failing to challenge the far right now appears to extend to supporting an EC candidate who cheers for Tommy Robinson. This is not acceptable.
There can be no place in our union for homophobia.
There can be no place in our union for the hate espoused by Tommy Robinson.
Against hate.
For a union that remembers what it stands for.
It’s time to Reunite.
