by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
A British councillor has stepped down after sparking outrage with comments suggesting American conservative activist Charlie Kirk was responsible for the attempt on his life.
Kirk, a married father of two, was shot in the neck while speaking on mass shootings at a Utah university campus on Thursday. Police say a manhunt is ongoing for the gunman.
Following the incident, Fiona Wild, an independent councillor in Burnley, posted on social media: “I don’t condone violence, but I do think he made himself a target and brought this on himself, so good riddance to not a very nice man! America needs to get rid of the other tt now.”*
Her remarks drew widespread condemnation and calls for her resignation. Burnley Council later confirmed her departure, stating: “People may be aware of a social media post made by former independent councillor Fiona Wild. We can confirm that Ms Wild has now resigned from her position. Ms Wild was serving as an independent councillor at the time of her resignation, and therefore was not affiliated to, or representing, any political party group within Burnley Council.”
Council leader Jamie McGowan, who had earlier demanded her resignation, described her comments as “vile.” He added: “What Cllr Fiona Wild forgets is that two small children have woken up without their daddy this morning, because of nothing more than his political beliefs. It’s such a disgusting thing to say, which shows a nasty side I didn’t know she had.”
Reacting to her resignation, he remarked: “All I can say is, good riddance to a not very nice woman.”