A London councillor who was kicked out of the Conservatives for suggesting a rape victim was “more likely” a sex worker whose client “didn’t pay” has been readmitted to the party.
Bromley councillor Shaun Slator lost the Tory whip last year following a comment he made on Twitter.
Underneath a link to an online news story reporting an alleged rape in Plumstead in December 2022 he wrote: “More likely that it’s a punter that didn’t pay.”
He later deleted the post and deactivated his social media account. But following an investigation he was “expelled” from the Tory party in April 2023.
Mr Slator, who works for Thurrock MP Dame Jackie Doyle-Price in Parliament, is understood to have appealed the decision.
A Conservative Party spokesman said on Monday: “Mr Slator has been readmitted to the Conservative Party after sincerely apologising for his actions as well as undertaking training and outreach with community groups.”
Lib Dem Councillor Graeme Casey said was “surprised” Mr Slator had been readmitted to the party after the ”very offensive and misogynistic comment about rape victims”
Bromley’s Labour group leader Simon Jeal described the remark as “revolting”.
Mr Slator sat as an independent councillor for the duration of his expulsion.
He apologised for his comments at a Bromley Council meeting in February 2023, claiming he had posted the response in order to highlight the issue of women being exploited in Plumstead and that he had since deactivated his Twitter account.
He said at the time: "I'm not ashamed to admit that I am fallible, and I have made a mistake.
“I now understand that with the privilege afforded to me as a councillor to better serve my community comes a responsibility to reflect more deeply on what I say and post online."
