Councillor Chris Furlong defends tweet comparing Iain Duncan Smith to Hitler

Councillor Chris Furlong defends tweet sent comparing Iain Duncan Smith to Hitler

North Middleton councillor Chris Furlong has defended a tweet he posted that compared the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith to Hitler.

The Labour councillor tweeted a picture of Hitler above one of Mr Duncan Smith, implying that the Conservatives were responsible for the deaths of more disabled people than the Nazi party leader.

The tweet referred to the ‘killing of 70,000 disabled people’ by Nazis alongside a reference to '81,040 disabled people’ having died in just over two years under the Conservative government.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Councillor Furlong defended posting the tweet and said: “I posted the tweet because people are dying because of policies instigated by Iain Duncan Smith and the mainstream media is ignoring it. I have been campaigning on these issues for a while now but, for some reason, the mainstream media is choosing to ignore it.

“I am highlighting the government’s figures and used the tweet to give a historical comparison. If you look back through Twitter, you will see a lot of disabled people are supporting me in what I said.”

It is understood that the matter has now been referred to the Labour Party to investigate.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Leader of the Conservative Group in Rochdale, said: “The remarks are appalling and are totally unacceptable. I would expect the Labour Party to withdraw his whip. If the new Labour leader has anything about him, he will make sure he is removed from the Labour party.

“I know if David Cameron heard that any of his councillors made remarks comparing people to Hitler, then David Cameron would make sure that they were removed from the Conservative party. If Corbyn has any mettle about him, his will ensure that this happens.”