We are appalled by the alleged homophobic comments that Council Leader Steve Fritchley made about Mark Fletcher, the most recent MP and the Conservative candidate in this general election.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckmmm7y7e2vo

Councillor Fritchley has now been suspended as a member of the Labour Party but is still the Leader of Bolsover District Council while he is suspended. All candidates for the Bolsover Constituency seat have condemned the alleged comments apart from Natalie Fleet, the Labour candidate, who hasn't said anything about it.

This is unacceptable!

It is ridiculous and sets a dangerous precedent for him to remain in a position with so much power while he is suspended from the Labour Party and being investigated for his homophobic comments.

It's time for the Bolsover Labour Party to grow a backbone. It's time for them to speak truth to power. It's time for them to show that homophobia is unacceptable and abhorrent.

It's time for them to immediately organise to remove Fritchley from the position of Leader of BDC.