Town mayor loses job over PM ‘deserves this’ comment
S heila Oakes, who is mayor of Heanor in Derbyshire and a district councilor, posted the comment on Facebook on Monday night.
Reply to a message calling for people to say a prayer for the Prime Minister, she wrote: “Sorry, he completely deserves this and he is one of the worst PMs we’ve ever had.”
Ms Oakes, who sits on Amber Valley District Council representing the Heanor East ward, later apologized after her remarks attracted a storm of criticism, saying “I made a mistake”.
Following her comments, Amber Valley Labor group withdrew the party whip from the councillor, saying a “full investigation” would take place in due course.
Ms Oakes’ remarks have also now cost her her job at solicitors VHS Fletchers, where she had been working as a paralegal.
In a statement, Ms Oakes’ former employer said: “On Monday evening Sheila Oakes, a paralegal at our Ilkeston office and also Mayor of Heanor posted deeply offensive remarks relating to the Prime Minister’s current state of health on Facebook.
“We can confirm that as of now Ms Oakes is no longer employed by this firm in any capacity.
“To wish illness upon anyone must be abhorrent to all right thinking members of the public.”
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