A newly-elected councillor has defended a decades old picture of him in ‘black face’ make-up as part of a musical performance.
Coun Derek Wunderley was elected as a Reform UK representative for the Little Lever ward of Bolton council on May 7.
The picture, along with a comment from Coun Wunderley which refers to the Black Lives Matter movement, has been circulated by a constituent of the ward, who said they found the image ‘unacceptable’.
The image was posted on his Facebook page in January 2020 but is understood to have been taken when Coun Wunderley was in his late teens. He is now 58.
In a statement on his official councillor Facebook page, Coun Wunderley said the image dates back 40 years to when he and some friends did a performance as The Drifters, a popular singing act at the time, at a private works Christmas fancy dress event.
He said: “The photograph reflects a different time and context, and I recognise at elements associated with it are not appropriate by today’s standards. That is not something I would support or participate in now.”
A comment relating to the image was sent in January, 2021 saying: “You’ll have the BLM movement hunting us down Derek.”
He replied: “Let em try man.”
Coun Wunderley, who works as a neighbourhood officer for Irwell Valley Homes, said the matters ‘do not reflect my values today’.
He said: “In relation to historic online comments, any suggestion that I support or sympathise with extremist or divisive views is wrong. That does not reflect my beliefs or my record in public life.
“Throughout my career, including as a councillor, I have been committed to treating people with respect, promoting inclusion, and serving all members of the community fairly.
“If any offence is caused, I apologise. These matters do not reflect my values today or the way I carry out my work or public duties.
“I feel saddened that a historic search has been carried out to try and find fault and taken out of context as to what it was.”
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