Former Hartlepool Brexit Party councillor's comments condemned as 'totally unacceptable' by council and Muslim leaders

Manor House ward councillor David Mincher resigned after it emerged he had been caught on camera making a series of highly offensive comments to the reporter including claiming to have tried to bury a pig’s head underneath Hartlepool’s Nasir mosque when it was being built.

He also said Muslim people were ‘outbreeding us’ and ‘live like animals.’

Mr Mincher has since been expelled by the Brexit Party.

Tahir Selby, Imam of the Nasir Mosque in Brougham Terrace, said the Channel 4 footage was ‘shocking’, adding: “Such people and their abhorrent views certainly do not reflect the good people of Hartlepool.”

He invited anyone to visit the mosque.

Farhan Ali, external affairs secretary for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Hartlepool, said since the mosque opened in 2005, it has welcomed over 18,000 people.

Mr Ali said: “Everyone who has visited the mosque has been kind, respectful and appreciative of the peaceful teachings of Islam.

“We have firm faith that goodness will always prevail and together – with all people of peace – we stand united against extremism and hate and we invite all to promote the message of ‘Love for All and Hatred for None’.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of the Brexit Party-led Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Racist language and behaviour is completely inexcusable and unforgivable.

“The comments are totally at odds with my values, the values of Hartlepool Borough Council and of the Brexit Party and as soon as I became aware of this I took immediate action to remove the individual from the party.

“The individual concerned has also resigned as a Councillor.”

Gill Alexander, Chief Executive of Hartlepool Borough Council added: “Promoting equality and diversity is core to what the Council stands for.

“We are proud of the diverse communities in Hartlepool and hold in high regard the contribution all our faith communities make to building the common good in our town.

“We have a Code of Conduct for Councillors which requires them to treat others with respect and not to use offensive and discriminatory language.

“We condemn these comments – they are totally unacceptable and have no place in our society.”

Mr Mincher previously told the Mail he was sorry for his comments.