Twittergate - political spat over swear word blog

Alex Gore • Published 16 Jul 2009 22:00 6 Comments

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A POLITICAL spat has erupted in West Berkshire after a Tory councillor used his internet blog to accuse an opposition member of talking b**locks.

Executive member David Betts made the comment about Theale councillor Alan Macro on popular blogging website Twitter after hearing him talking on the radio about the district"s planning strategy, the Local Development Framework.

Cllr Betts said: "Woke up to Alan Macro talking b**locks on 107FM.

"Failed to point out we are consulting on housing in Theale, or that it is Government imposed."

When the Chronicle asked Cllr Macro about the blog, he said: "I think it is a completely unnecessary use of bad language.

"As councillors we are supposed to show each other respect but this was the exact opposite."

Cllr Macro's Lib Dem colleague, Jeff Brooks, said it was an unacceptable way for a councillor to express themselves and added: "That is just not on."

When asked about his comment today, Cllr Betts said: "Twitter is an instant medium.

"It is what you are thinking at that moment. It is there for a few minutes then forgotten about.

"I woke up and heard Alan Macro talking on 107fm and thought he was misrepresenting the council's position

"It is not a word I would have used in the council chamber, it may be a word I would use in the pub."

Cllr Betts said that he 'immediately' sent a message to Cllr Macro, who is also a member of the website, to say sorry if he had been offended.

He added: "But I also said you have to accept a bit of knocking about on Twitter. He has not acknowledged my apology."

Just days after making the comment, Cllr Betts said on Twitter that he had sent Cllr Macro a message but not got a response and added: "Either he's not speaking to me or he hasn't got the hang of Twitter yet."

Three minutes later he said: "Sorry if I offended you, but you need a thicker skin on social media."

Cllr Brooks tried to raise the issue in a meeting of the executive this evening after Cllr Betts presented a report on the council's three-year ICT strategy.

In the report"s introduction Cllr Betts said: "Two years ago how many of us had heard of Facebook? A year ago how many of us had heard of Twitter?"

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Sean
Unregistered User
Jul 17, 10:55
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SMALL MINDED LIKE THIS TWO BIT WRAG YOU CALL A NEWSPAPER ??? YOU KNOW YOUR TIME IS NEARLY UP... THERE IS ONLY ONE PARTY WORTH VOTING FOR AND THATS THE BRITISH NATIONAL PARTY !!!

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susie
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Jul 17, 14:16
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Cue Star Wars music and Nick Griffin wearing a cape.

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politico
Unregistered User
Jul 18, 07:47
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this certainly made me laugh, bu****hink that councillor could yet be in trouble with the standards board. lets hope not though.

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politico
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Jul 18, 07:49
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ironically, this site won't let me type "but_I_think" because of the 'swear word' inadvertently stuck in the middle of it. stupid.

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howard thomas
Unregistered User
Jul 20, 23:55
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What a load of ******* fuss over a load of ******** . Get a ******* life

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howard thomas
Unregistered User
Jul 20, 23:57
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Sean-----Do you have any black,asian or eastern European friends ?

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