Councillor Courtenay not to be reselected over Facebook row

Councillor Courtenay, who lives in New Peachey Lane, Cowley, and has been a councillor for 12 years, was informed of the reasons at a re-selection interview, ahead of next year's local elections.

The Tory party have now told the councillor they will be de-selecting him and finding a more suitable replacement, although Courtenay has confirmed to the Gazette he intends to appeal.

Posting on Facebook, councillor Courtenay filled out a 'How Sexy Am I' quiz, which told him he was '93 per cent sexy'.

Posting below it, Courtenay wrote: "Why are they saying 93 per cent? I demand a recount, I want 100 per cent."

Councillor Courtenay is known among his counterparts for his sense of humour, but the top brass in the cabinet did not find it amusing.

In a letter from Christopher White, Conservative group chairman, Councillor Courtenay was told: "The selection panel had several concerns when interviewing you, there is the issue of your lack of judgement over inappropriate material being placed by you on your social networking site Facebook.

"With deep regret, we have decided not to re-select you as a Council Candidate for the 2010 Council Elections."

In the letter, Councillor Courtenay is also accused of having no strategic direction for his team in Brunel, and not contributing enough in recent campaigns, both claims Courtenay vehemently contests.

When contacted by the Gazette, Councillor Courtenay, indicated he preferred not to comment at this time, as he was concentrating on his appeal.

If he is unsuccessful, he indicated he would still consider standing at next year's elections as an independent candidate.

He believes that the Facebook row is being used against him as an excuse to oust him and replace him with somebody more youthful.

Councillor Courtenay has a 100 per cent attendance record at Council meetings this year, and sits on a number of outside bodies, including the Hillingdon Forum for the Elderly, and the Hillingdon Association of Voluntary Services (HAVS).

The decision has to be formally ratified at a council meeting, but if Courtenay is de-selected, he stands to lose his £10,000 a year members allowance.

Councillor Mike Cox, Leader of the Liberal Democrats commented: "Geoff Courtenay certainly has an alternative sense of humour which has often been displayed at Council meetings.

"He never did seem to sit comfortably within the Conservative group so this isn't a great surprise"

A group has been launched on Facebook entitled 'Tell the Tories to re-select Geoff Courtenay', but so far it only has two members.

What do you think? Does Councillor Courtenay deserve to be de-selected? Were his Facebook posts 'inappropriate?'

Leave a comment below.