An investigation into alleged racial remarks made by a Conservative MP in the UK follows his remark that “all white men should have a Black slave.”
A county councilor and magistrate from Pembrokeshire, Wales, named Andrew Edwards is also accused of claiming in the audio clip that Black people are “lower class” than White people.
In the audio recording, a man can be heard saying: “Nothing wrong with the skin colour at all. (…) I think all white men should have a Black man as a slave or Black woman as a slave, you know.”
He added: “There’s nothing wrong with skin colour, it’s just that they’re lower class than us white people.”
The location and time of the video’s recording are unknown.
The Haverfordwest Prendergast ward’s representative, Mr. Edwards, said: “I am aware of such serious allegations being made against me.
“This is why I have self-referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for an independent evaluation.
“It is now in the hands of legal experts and the ombudsman. It would be unfair on the process for me to comment.”
The Pembrokeshire County Council’s Conservative group stated that it was looking into the claims, but Mr. Edwards, a school governor as well, has not been suspended.
A Pembrokeshire council spokesperson said: “We are aware of an allegation being made and have referred the matter to the ombudsman.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Di Clements, the head of the council’s Conservative group, stated that Mr. Edwards left the party group on the council on Tuesday but would reserve any comment until the ombudsman’s report was released.
A spokesperson for the Labour group said: “The views contained within this recording are disgusting.
“Racism has absolutely no place in our society, let alone in the views expressed by an elected member on Pembrokeshire County Council.”
Listen to the audio below:
