Statement from Cllr Stephen Parnaby OBE, Leader, East Riding of Yorkshire Council & Leader, Conservative Group

Following inappropriate and offensive comments made on social media relating to the sad and tragic death of Jo Cox MP, I have suspended Cllr Dominic Peacock from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Conservative Group with immediate effect.   I shall be reporting this to a meeting of the full Group and my recommendation will be that he be expelled.

All people in public life, irrespective of politics should be united in condemning the fatal and dreadful attack on Jo Cox. This is not the time for inappropriate remarks, however intended, and I will not tolerate them in my Group, and residents should expect their elected representatives to act in an appropriate and compassionate way.

I will also be asking the Group to make a contribution to the Memorial Fund set up in the name of Jo Cox.