An Essex councillor who had the Labour Whip withdrawn after offensive and explicit social media posts emerged has issued a heartfelt apology to residents.
Ben Westwick became an independent councillor for Pitsea South East after the borough’s Labour Party withdrew its support last month.
In a lengthy statement, Mr Westwick has said he is “so sorry” for the posts and said they came from the “misplaced anger” he felt as a young man.
Included in the posts made under Mr Westwick’s name were examples of sexually explicit images and comments that appeared to trivialise sexual harassment.
“There’s no excuse for what I wrote. It was wrong,” said Mr Westwick.
“I wouldn’t want my son to ever think those things, let alone write them online, but instead of making excuses, I’ve spent the last few months asking myself why I posted them and the truth is, I was lost.”
Mr Westwick goes on to explain that at the time the posts were created, he had no sense of belonging and was struggling academically.
“And when you feel invisible, when life feels rigged against you, anger creeps in. You want someone to blame,” he added.
“My life changed in 2015 when I moved to Basildon. I started working locally, met my now wife, became part of her family, and built one of my own.
“For the first time, I felt rooted. I felt needed. I felt like I belonged.”
The now independent councillor went on to say he fears a similar sense of anger and isolation he experienced is driving young men towards far-right populism.
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He said: “I still see myself, that 19-year-old version, in so many young men across Basildon today.
“I believe what this Labour council is doing can give that same hope to other young men too.”
Mr Westwick has continued to support his Labour Party colleagues despite having the Whip withdrawn just hours after his old social media posts surfaced.
“To my residents in Pitsea South East, to my colleagues on the council, and to my family, I’m so sorry,” he said.
“I also want you to understand my journey. Understand the thousands of others going through the same right now. And know that I’m still here. Still working for you.”
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