A TRENDY pub found itself at the centre of a resignation row this week after a local councillor called its bar staff “w*****s” on a social networking site.
Louisa Thomson, a Labour councillor for Stoke Newington Central made the comments on her Facebook page ‘several weeks ago’ about staff at the The Scolt Head pub in Culford Road, off Engelfield Road.
The post read: “we are now boycotting the Scolt Head – w****r bar staff and no understanding of licensing policy”.
Her account is private and can only be viewed by her Facebook friends, of which she has over 200. But the comments have caused particular controversy because Councillor Thomson sits on a Hackney Council committee deciding the fate of pubs and clubs, and there have been calls for her resignation.
GLA member Andrew Boff called for the 29-year-old to resign from the licensing committee.
“I’m staggered that she thinks she can get away with these kind of comments and for them not to be noticed, especially when she is on the licensing committee where her opinions matter,” he said.
“She should not abuse businesses during a time when they are struggling to survive during the recession.”
Councillor Thomson said she regretted posting the comments.
“It was a flippant remark, which I regret making and any offence caused by it,” she said.
“However, these were comments made in a personal capacity, on my private Facebook profile, and do not relate to my role as a councillor.”
Rosie Wesemann, owner of the Scolt Head, said she was “disappointed” by the comments.
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