Southend councillor suspended over alleged EDL links

A Conservative councillor in Southend has been suspended for allegedly having links with the English Defence League (EDL).

Cllr Blaine Robin was suspended by the Tory party last night after attending an EDL meeting where he was apparently praised for his support of the far right group's protest in Tower Hamlets last month.

A video on YouTube appears to show EDL leader Tommy Robinson pointing out Cllr Robin it a meeting in Southend earlier this year.

Robinson is heard saying,

“I am proud that the first politician I have ever met who actually represents his constituents is a man outside, a black man, who is a local politician in Southend. It’s even greater to see that he has heard the free message of the English Defence League, not the distorted media attempt.”

Cllr Robin is the poster boy for the Conservative Party's "Become a Councillor" campaign but has been suspended pending an investigation.

In a statement issued by Anna Waite, chairman of Rochford and Southend East Conservative Association she said,

“Rochford and Southend East Conservative Association abhor and condemn far right groups such as the English Defence League. We have recently been made aware that one of our members, Cllr Blaine Robin, attended a meeting of the EDL. As a result of this we have decided to temporarily suspend his party membership pending an internal investigation by the Conservative Party."

Waite added,

“I would like to make it clear that Blaine has been active in fighting against racism and intolerance for many years and that at this stage it appears his behaviour in associating with the EDL represents a serious error of judgement but no more."

This is a cause of embarrassment for the Prime Minister David Cameron, who recently labelled the EDL as "sick".

Picture: Councillor Blaine Robin