A COUNCILLOR accused of a controversial tweet about a Labour MP has pleaded not guilty to sending an offensive message.
Coun Jim Buckley’s case will be judged at a hearing on Friday March 11, following today’s (Wednesday February 24) hearing at Leamington Magistrates’ Court.
He sent a tweet last October comparing London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan’s HQ to a ‘corner shop’.
Coun Buckley accepted sending the tweet, but pleaded not guilty to the charge of publishing material of an indecent and grossly offensive nature.
Defending the councillor, Mohammad Farooq said: “My client would argue there is a fine line between something that is insensitive and something that is deemed grossly offensive.”
Coun Buckley was granted bail until a later trial to be held on Friday March 11 at 2pm – to allow the defence time to gather relevant case law. He was told if he pleads guilty before the later trial date, any potential sentences could be reduced.
If found guilty of the offence under the Communications Act, he could be jailed for up to six months, handed a fine or both – and would also find his position at Rugby Borough Council under threat.
Coun Buckley has represented Hillmorton ward on Rugby Borough Council as an independent since November, when he was permanently booted out of the ruling Conservative Group for the tweet which Council Leader Coun Michael Stokes called “unacceptable”.
Coun Buckley, who was elected to RBC in November 2013, is up for re-election in May. He declined to comment on the ongoing case.
London-born Mr Khan’s family has a British Pakistani background. His office declined a request for comment.
