A local Conservative candidate has been dropped by his party just before the election over “discriminatory” comments and coronavirus vaccine misinformation shared on social media. Paris Coulson, aged 19, is standing for election on behalf of the Conservative Party in the Long Eaton Central Ward on Erewash Borough Council.
Mr Coulson would now sit as an independent if elected, after being suspended by his party when it was made aware of controversial social media posts crossing various different topics, including Covid vaccine misinformation, Derbyshire Live reports. He has made clear he has no regrets about comments made in these posts, except for the way some were worded.
Mr Poulson was suspended on April 26, just eight days before the election on May 4. The Conservatives hoping to retain control of the borough council. He will remain listed as a Conservative Party candidate on the ballot due to the late time at which he was suspended, but his party has dropped all affiliation and has started an investigation which could see him expelled.
