cllrthomson
Hackney councillor slammed for foul-mouthed Facebook tirade on barstaff
Johnny McDevitt, Reporter
Thursday, November 11, 2010
5:40 PM
A HACKNEY councillor has been called on to resign from the borough’s licensing committee after launching an expletive-laden rant about a boozer’s bar staff on her Facebook page.
Louisa Thomson, Labour councillor for Stoke Newington Central, made the comments “several weeks ago” about staff at the The Stolt Head pub in Culford Road, De Beauvoir.
The post read: “we are now boycotting the Scolt’s Head (sic) – w****r bar staff and no understanding of licensing policy”.
A Facebook friend of Thomson, who was elected in a by-election in 2009, responded to comment on her wall, saying: “really? I used to love that pub.”
Cllr Thomson, who is on the council’s licensing committee, then replied: “I did too – but rudest bar staff ever – more Shoreditch hipster than a welcoming back street boozer.”
The Gazette received an image of the councillor’s Facebook page from a reader who wished to remain anonymous
The reader said: “(It is) inappropriate behaviour from a labour councillor. Not really on, is it?”
Cllr Thomson’s account is private and can only be viewed by her Facebook friends.
GLA member Andrew Boff called for the 29-year-old School Governor at Princess May Primary School, in Princess May Road, to resign from the licensing committee.
“I’m speechless; she should resign,” he said.
“I’m staggered that she thinks she can get away with these kind of comments and for them not to be noticed, especially when she is on the licensing committee where her opinions matter.
“She should not abuse Hackney businesses during a time when they are struggling to survive during the recession.
“Cllr Thomson should apologise immediately or be held in the same contempt that she has shown for this business.”
Cllr Thomson said she regretted posting the comments.
“It was a flippant remark, which I regret making and any offence caused by it,” she said.
“However, these were comments made in a personal capacity, on my private facebook profile, and do not relate to my role as a councillor.”
Rosie Wesemann, owner of the Scolt Head, said she was “disappointed” by the comments.
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15 comments
Surely the councillor Thomson is allowed to express her thoughts with her friends on Facebook and shouldn't be censored. Working in an advertising agency we actually promote the use of facebook as a tool to engage with our customers and actively seek negative and positive feedback. I assume that her Facebook comment was set to private anyway! Enbrase user feedback - there must be an issue with customer service so resolve this! This article should be about thepub not the counciller in my opinion. <a href="http:www.ellisonsadvertising.co.uk" Ellisons >
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Chris Burgess
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Surely the councillor Thomson is allowed to express her thoughts with her friends on Facebook and shouldn't be censored. Working in an advertising agency we actually promote the use of facebook as a tool to engage with our customers and actively seek negative and positive feedback. I assume that her Facebook comment was set to private anyway! Enbrase user feedback - there must be an issue with customer service so resolve this! This article should be about thepub not the counciller in my opinion. <a href="http:www.ellisonsadvertising.co.uk" Ellisons >
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Chris Burgess
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Surely the councillor Thomson is allowed to express her thoughts with her friends on Facebook and shouldn't be censored. Working in an advertising agency we actually promote the use of facebook as a tool to engage with our customers and actively seek negative and positive feedback. I assume that her Facebook comment was set to private anyway! Enbrase user feedback - there must be an issue with customer service so resolve this! This article should be about thepub not the counciller in my opinion. http:www.ellisonsadvertising.co.uk
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Chris Burgess
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
This is an outraegeous intrusion on the Councillor's privacy. And if the pub's service is s*it, then I for one would rather has a Councillor who says so and challenges it - that's why we elect them. Well done Louisa!
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JackHopkins
Friday, November 12, 2010
I think there is a line - and printing a personal comment from a private facebook account which is not public is way past it. Shame on who leaked this. You're doing a disservice to Hackney by attacking a hard working and dedicated local Councillor.
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Girlaboutlondon
Friday, November 12, 2010
'Slammed' - really? By Goff? Totally irresponsible headline - report some real news please Hackney Gazette! Honestly, Louisa Thomson is a fantastic councillor and takes her responsibilities very seriously. This was a comment made in a private capacity presumably out of frustration and it is this kind of reporting which runs the risk of putting decent people off standing for public office. So much for saving the local press ...
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sophiecam
Friday, November 12, 2010
'Slammed' - really? By Goff? Totally irresponsible headline - report some real news please Hackney Gazette! Honestly, Louisa Thomson is a fantastic councillor and takes her responsibilities very seriously. This was a comment made in a private capacity presumably out of frustration and it is this kind of reporting which runs the risk of putting decent people off standing for public office. So much for saving the local press ...
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sophiecam
Friday, November 12, 2010
I find it shocking that private comments can be reported in such a way, this is more News of the World than Hackney Gazette. What a shame to attempt to darken the character of a wonderful councillor who (through personal knowledge) works so hard and competently for the people she represents on her ward. And in reply to Boff's comments.... Maybe the staff should improve thier customer service if they wish to survive the recession!
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N16Fan
Friday, November 12, 2010
What a dreadfully petty story. The reader who submitted Cllr Thomson's Facebook page to Hackney Gazette should be ashamed of themselves.
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Paintstuff!
Friday, November 12, 2010
This story really does mark a new low for the Hackney Gazette; mindlessly regurgitating the press release of a failed Tory politician. A 29 year old woman has a bad experience in a pub and reports it on her facebook page. If that's a resigning offence we may as well all give up and go home. The last time Andrew Boff tried to get elected to Hackney Council he came seventh, yes - seventh. The voters of Queensbridge clearly didn't take his pathetic brand of political sniping seriously, and neither should the readers of the Hackney Gazette.
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innocentabroad
Friday, November 12, 2010
This type of Swiftboat politik is something that should turn the stomach of any reader of any political slant. The off the cuff comment was clearly meant for private consumption by Cllr Thompson's friends as it was on her private Facebook account. For it to be used as some sort of political ping pong ball by Andrew Boff is just the type of sad playground politics one has come to expect from Hackney Tories. All people, including elected officials, have the right to privacy and the freedom of expression and this is a blantant violation of both.
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texpat78
Friday, November 12, 2010
Why on earth should she resign? No, firstly, she has a point - the service at that pub is terrible, which is a shame because it's my local (and also, I like the interiors and beer garden), so I don't go there any more, unless I can help it. Besides, her comment was private, she did not voice it publicly. Enough of this nonsense, please.
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hotporridge
Friday, November 12, 2010
Why on earth should she resign? No, firstly, she has a point - the service at that pub is terrible, which is a shame because it's my local (and also, I like the interiors and beer garden), so I don't go there any more, unless I can help it. Besides, her comment was private, she did not voice it publicly. Enough of this nonsense, please.
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hotporridge
Friday, November 12, 2010
If you're going to put a snide "sic" after what she called the pub, at least get it right in your story. And it is a nightmare getting a pint in there.
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Mycroft
Thursday, November 11, 2010
If you're going to put a snide "sic" after what she called the pub, at least get it right in your story. And it is a nightmare getting a pint in there.
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Mycroft
Thursday, November 11, 2010