UPDATE: Worthing Councillor Resigns After Being Accused Of Belonging To Far Right Group

A Worthing councillor, accused of belonging to a far right group, was told to deny the allegations or resign his seat – Mr Wills resigned last week.

Former Marine ward representative Tim Wills stepped down on Friday (October 15) after anti-racist campaign group HOPE not Hate said he allegedly sent messages to a Telegram chat associated with Patriotic Alternative.

PA is described on Wikipedia as a British far-right, white nationalist group.

Following the allegations earlier this month, Mr Wills’ membership of the Worthing Conservative group and the Conservative Party was suspended.

An ongoing investigation is being handled by the Conservative Party’s complaints board and WBC is also carrying out an investigation after a complaint was made under its code of conduct.

A statement on the council’s website reads: 

“Councillor Tim Wills, a representative for Marine Ward, has today (15th October 2021) resigned his seat on Worthing Borough Council.

“Councillor Wills is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the council under its Code of Conduct procedures following remarks he is alleged to have made in an online forum run by an organisation called the Patriotic Alternative.

“He had already been suspended by the Conservative Party pending an investigation.

“In accordance with procedures the vacancy on the council will be advertised in due course.”

Last week council leader Dan Humphreys said Patriotic Alternative ‘does not share the aims and ideals of the Conservative Party’.

Mr Humphreys stressed that the Worthing Conservative group ‘remains committed to promoting equality between all people and opposing all forms of racism’.

Labour group leader Rebecca Cooper (Marine) was active in calling for Mr Wills’ immediate resignation following the allegations.

She said:

“We will now redouble our efforts in Marine ward and across the entire borough of Worthing to ensure that, in the future, people are listened to and can trust in their elected representatives.

“In the council we will be asking questions, not only about party vetting of candidates, but also around the provision of essential ongoing training for councillors in the key areas of equality and diversity.”

The Adur and Worthing branch of Stand up to Racism had also scheduled a demonstration ahead of Tuesday’s full council meeting to call for Mr Wills’ resignation.

The group says it plans to continue with the demonstration and one member explained:

“We are still concerned about the selection process that allowed this to happen and the leadership of the council in how they have dealt with this very serious situation.

“We have also submitted some questions to full council.”

The vacancy left by his resignation has altered the political make-up of the council, leaving the Conservatives without a majority.

The Conservatives currently have 18 seats compared to the 15 seats held by Labour. Three seats are held by Liberal Democrats and one is now vacant.

This is due to be discussed at WBC’s full council meeting tonight (Oct 19) as it could have implications for committee membership and Liberal Democrat councillors may gain more representation on these committees as a result.

Mr Wills has been contacted for comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service on multiple occasions but has not yet responded.

UPDATE:

Council leader Dan Humphreys (Con, Offington) has said Mr Wills was told to deny the allegations or resign his seat – Mr Wills resigned last week.

A statement from the Worthing Conservative group welcomed the resignation and said:

“We welcome this resignation. It is the least that local residents have the right to expect.

“Worthing Conservatives are committed to promoting equality and opposing all forms of racism”.

Worthing Labour group leader Beccy Cooper (Marine) had also called for Mr Wills’ resignation and welcomed the news.

Ms Cooper said:

“His continuing presence on the council, even as an independent member, would have brought the council into disrepute and we were seeking ways to have him removed had he not resigned.

“As a Marine councillor I was shocked and saddened… We are elected by our communities in Marine to serve and represent them to the best of our abilities, regardless of colour or creed.”

Despite the resignation, the Adur and Worthing branch of Stand up to Racism (SUTR) is going ahead with a planned protest before the full council meeting this evening.

A spokesperson said:

“Following a protest of over 100 people, an open letter calling for Mr Wills to go, and this planned protest on Tuesday (October 19), it was announced on Friday that Wills has resigned.

“Although we very much welcome this development, we’ve decided to go ahead with a protest this week.”

SUTR have also penned an open letter to Worthing Borough Council outlining its concerns:

To Catherine Howe CEO Worthing Borough Council 

Daniel Humphreys Leader Worthing Borough Council 

Dear Ms Howe and Mr Humphreys 

Councillor Tim Wills Patriotic Alternative

On Wednesday 6^th October, Hope Not Hate a non-partisan, non-sectarian organisation who research far right extremism, exposed Worthing Borough Councillor Tim Wills to be an enthusiastic supporter of Patriotic Alternative (PA), a racial nationalist and fascist organisation that seeks the removal of ethnic minorities from the UK.

Hope Not Hate has been unequivocal in their call for the immediate removal from council of Cllr Wills, given the severity of the case. This appeared to be ignored by Worthing Borough Council (WBC). Only after 9 days did Cllr Wills resign. 

Of grave concern to residents of Worthing and indeed those who reside in Marine Ward, has been the lack of communication and willingness to engage in appropriate action by our council. The suspension from the Conservative Party pending investigation and the statement by Worthing Borough Council of an investigation following a complaint received regarding a breach of the councillor code is noted. However, both the conservative party and council complaints process is woefully short on adequate detail with no attempt made by WBC to explain or set out with clarity the information required to assure residents this was being addressed with the sensitivity and urgency it demanded. 

As such, we are now compelled to seek clarification on the following:

1. What was the council’s response to the demand by Hope Not Hate on the expulsion of Cllr Wills?
2. What steps were taken to expedite the WBC complaints process? 
3. What steps were taken to communicate with Worthing’s Jewish, Muslim, BAME and LGBT groups?  
4. Has Worthing Borough Council Equality Impact Assessed the decisions which have involved Cllr Wills? 
5. What steps were taken to communicate with the residents of Marine Ward?

Further, Cllr Wills in his postings has stated the conservatives ‘still have a right-wing minority who are on side’. As might be imagined, it is concerning enough for affected groups to know an active racist held his position in situ of (unelected) power, clearly not able to abide by the requirements of holding office. Please be clear on what measures will be taken to ensure there are not other conservative councillors who share the views of Cllr Wills as denoted the comments of Mr Wills by providing the terms of reference for this part of the, or follow-on separate investigation. 

We the undersigned, share Hope Not Hate’s call for immediate action and have been disappointed with the lack of response from our council. It is hoped a more respectful and appropriate response will be provided.