Peterborough Council Leader Dennis Jones Resigns Over Offensive Message

Dennis Jones, leader of Peterborough City Council and a Labour Party member, has resigned from his leadership position and been suspended from the Labour Party after he appeared to call Rotherham grooming gang victims "poor white trash" in a message exchange with Independent councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon. The messages, shared publicly by Blakemore-Creedon, showed Jones responding to concerns about immigration and women's safety with language that many found offensive and inappropriate. Jones apologized for his language, clarifying that his intention was to condemn those who minimize the severity of sexual abuse crimes and to stand up for victims, while acknowledging the inappropriateness of his words. The Labour Party has launched an investigation and emphasized its expectation of high standards from its members, taking swift action in response. The incident has sparked significant social media engagement and calls for Jones' resignation, especially given Peterborough's own history with grooming gang cases. Jones will continue as an independent councillor while an extraordinary council meeting is planned to appoint a new leader.