THERE have been calls for a newly-elected independent councillor to consider his position after a series of social media posts emerged, some of which include "offensive and deeply inappropriate" comments about women and immigration.

Cllr Colin Betts was elected in this month’s local elections as an independent councillor to represent Billinge and Seneley Green.

Reports have since emerged of social media comments he made in 2020, prompting an outcry from Labour, the council's ruling party.

Cllr Betts has since "apologised to everyone I have offended and upset".

However, in the first full council meeting since the elections the scrutiny on him intensified.

The social media comments by Cllr Betts were condemned by St Helens Council leader David Baines before a packed council chamber.

He did not refer to Councillor Betts by name, however, the remarks were clearly aimed at the newly-elected politician.

St Helens Star: David Baines speaking at the full council meetingDavid Baines speaking at the full council meeting

Cllr Baines told the full council meeting: "Sadly, numerous offensive and deeply inappropriate posts from one newly-elected councillor emerged in the press since the election and I can't let it pass without comment.

"For his benefit and hopefully to give some reassurance to council staff – particularly female members of staff who will have to work with him, partners and the public I would like to make it crystal clear that racism, sexism and misogyny have no place in our society let alone this town hall.

"Such views do not represent the views of decent residents of Billinge and Seneley Green Ward, St Helens or this council and they never will."

Many of Councillor Betts' comments – which have been shown to the Star – concerned women's involvement in sport.

In November 2020, Cllr Betts was critical of female sports journalists, saying: "That's women for you, long drawn out, meaningless questions about things they know little about, but that will be most things in life really...best responses would be, are we having a cup of tea luv, have you done the dishes, have you made me supper, it's past your bedtime, I think you have drunk too much."

He also said we "employ cleaners and cooks to commentate on men's sports".

He added: “Don't complain to the BBC, run by women or one of the other 103 crossed gender ethnic categories' who work there.”

In October 2020, he referenced “the great Mr [Bill] Shankly being interviewed by a woman fifty years ago”, adding: "Women were asking stupid questions back then about professional sports and have never stopped since."

In August 2020, Mr Betts had posted that: "Women have never played any sport at the top level, so why should they be allowed to spoil watching top level sport by commentating on it.

"Women in general are only here to stop men enjoying themselves."

In another comment, he said of King Henry VIII: "Henry was a top king, chop heads of women who didn't please him."

He also shared posts from right wing groups and comments about immigration.

In January 2021, he also said that England needed a "Donald Trump".

"Elect him and realise he is the man to save us all," he wrote.

A spokesperson for St Helens Labour described the posts as "vile", stressing that the views have no place in our society and no place in the council chamber.

The spokesperson said: "The very least Cllr Betts owes residents is a full apology, but frankly he should be considering his position."

The Star and the Local Democracy Reporting Service have been unable to contact Cllr Betts for comment.

However, in a statement given to the Liverpool Echo last week he wrote: "Having reviewed these posts, though I do believe some of my comments to be true and factual, I do feel that most of the comments I made to be inappropriate and to some very hurtful.

"Since these posts, I have reviewed my position on many of the comments made.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone I have offended and upset by my social media comments."

Councillor Baines, meanwhile, has shared a further statement to underline his opinion that such views should not be tolerated by anyone in the council chamber.

Councillor Baines stated: "Because the posts were made before he was elected, we’ve being advised that sadly there is nothing the [council's] monitoring officer can do.

"But our position is clear – he should not only apologise but he should consider his position.

"He’s used the guise of an ‘independent’ to worm his way into the town hall, and the sooner he leaves it the better.

"We would obviously hope that colleagues from all parties in the council chamber would agree with us on this, and I hope his 'independent' colleagues in Billinge and Seneley Green will do the same."