‘Homophobic’ ex-Tory councillor ‘suggested prostitution’ to woman needing money
An independent councillor forced to stand down as a Welsh Assembly Conservative candidate after homophobic comments is the subject of a formal complaint for reportedly suggesting on Twitter that a woman become a prostitute to earn extra money.
John Jenkins now represents the Elli ward of Llanelli on Carmarthenshire council but not for a political party. He was said to have left the Conservatives because of his treatment at elections over anti-gay comments he made in 2003.
The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales received a complaint after Cllr Jenkins suggested a woman on Twitter become a prostitute to raise money, before a picture of a friend pretending it was a man wanted on suspicion of child abuse, the Western Mail reports.
“I cannot convince myself of anything other than homosexuality being a medical mental condition. I would not harm an individual for being gay but just think that they need medical attention rather than their ‘fashionable’ display of sexual deviancy being pandered to.”
The remarks had resulted in him standing down from the contest for the seat of Llanelli in 2003.
In 2006, he was selected again by the Conservatives to contest Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South but it was understood David Cameron then intervened and forced him to stand down.
Recently, Mr Jenkins responded to a woman who said she needed ideas for earning money quickly initially suggesting gambling before adding: “Prostitution? On a serious note, good money in being in an escort.”
Later, attaching a picture of a friend to another tweet, he said: “BTP [British Transport Police] have issued a photo fit of the kiddie fiddler, reportedly from Felinfoel area of Llanelli.”
One Twitter user told the paper: “John has already resigned twice as a Conservative Assembly candidate for making some grotesque comments about homosexuals. I suggest he should consider a third resignation for his latest outbursts.
“It is quite staggering that an elected member is openly encouraging young women to become escorts and joking about paedophilia and sex acts on a public online forum that could be read by anyone of any age.”
Cllr Jenkins had not responded to a request for comment but his Twitter profile has been deleted.
