COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

She has since apologised and claims she did not know it was derogatory



A Coventry councillor has apologised after using a term insulting to disabled people on social media.

Cllr Rachel Lancaster got into a spat on Twitter and replied to a tweet by posting: “Been licking the window again have you?”

The term “window licker” is well known for being derogatory against people with learning disabilities and is highly offensive.

Cllr Lancaster later apologised and deleted the tweet after being told it was “derogatory towards people with learning difficulties” and insists she though it meant “licking the window, like a child outside a toy shop”.

The remark has drawn strong criticism, including from the founder of a Warwickshire support group for families of children with Down Syndrome, who won the Inspirational Person award at our Coventry and Warwickshire Heroes Awards 2017.

Cllr Lancaster has since deleted the apology and claims that is because of the level of abusive comments it attracted.

Cllr Lancaster, who represents Holbrook Ward for Coventry City Council , replied to Twitter account @LiargateCovCity following a reply to a picture she uploaded of the Labour regional conference.

She was celebrating Cllr Ann Lucas receiving an award, but the Liargate account replied with ‘remove tongue’.

But instead of ignoring the comment, Cllr Lancaster hit back and asked: ‘Been licking the window again have you?’

That drew condemnation from the Liargate account, a disabled campaigner, and a mum of a teenage boy who has Down Syndrome.

Coventry councillor 'licking window' jibe added to suspension probe after final warning



A COVENTRY councillor embroiled in a row over tweeting a commonly known insult towards disabled people faces further investigation and suspension – and is already on a ‘final written warning’.

Our sources told us her Labour councillor colleagues are adding Rachel Lancaster’s controversial tweet earlier this month to outstanding matters under investigation.

We exclusively revealed in January she had received the final writing warning for her previous social media and other activity, and was facing further investigation which could result in her suspension from the Labour group – before this new matter arose.

If she is suspended, she would become an Independent councillor for Holbrook if she wanted to continue in the role. She is due for re-election in 2020.

Our sources told us advice is being sought on Coventry council Labour group investigating the matter separately in addition to the outstanding matters – and both could result in suspension.

Her final written warning had following this newspaper’s investigation last year into planning breaches for her family home.

She still faces further investigation into other matters relating to her Facebook activity, revealed by us in October.

We revealed in January that Coun Lancaster had been informed in writing of the final written warning, following an investigation by the Labour group whips’ office.

The whips – responsible for group discipline – were tasked with examining complaints from Labour colleagues alleged to have infringed group rules concerning treating other councillors with respect.

Rachel Lancaster avoids suspension - despite earlier final written warning



A COVENTRY councillor under investigation over allegations including tweeting a ‘window licking’ jibe – a commonly known insult towards disabled people – has escaped suspension despite already being on a final written warning.

Instead, we understand Coun Rachel Lancaster has been ordered to formally apologise to the group and undergo code of conduct training.

As we revealed in January, she had already received a ‘final written warning’ and faced further disciplinary probes by the council Labour group’s whip’s office for a string of outspoken controversies, including her social media use.

She had accused Labour colleagues on Facebook of “abusive, misogynistic nastiness”.

If she had been suspended, she would have become an Independent councillor for Holbrook if she wanted to continue in the role. She is due for re-election in 2020.

A recent Labour group meeting was informed of the lesser outcome, we have learned.