Labour leader Keir Starmer has been forced to address anti-monarchy comments made by upcoming local election candidates after one of them called Queen Camilla a ‘jumped up old whore’.
During a visit to Blackpool ahead of the May 2 elections, Starmer was asked to address historical social media posts made by two prospective councillors who had previously expressed anti-royal sentiments.
Clare Pritchard, Labour’s candidate for the Peel ward on Hyndburn Borough Council, shared a photo of Princess Diana on May 6 2023 and said she was, ‘Forever Queen of the peoples hearts’ and ‘A true Queen NOT some jumped up old whore.’
Ms Pritchard also shared a photo of King Charles in which she criticised him for ‘paying no inheritance tax’ and having a £250 million taxpayer-funded coronation ‘whilst children go hungry’.
She also accused the King of being an adulterer who ‘abandoned his son, wife and grandchildren’, and questioned Prince Harry’s ‘link’ to P Diddy after he was named in the rapper’s recent lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Leeds central candidate Jane Orton called for the end of the monarchy on September 8 2022, the day Queen Elizabeth II died, the Express reports.
Ms Orton called herself a ‘republican and proud’ and suggested it was time for the monarchy to be ‘retired’ following the Queen’s death.
She also tweeted that then-prime minister Liz Truss was a ‘stupid b*****’
Both candidates have since apologised for their remarks, and an internal investigation is believed to be underway.
When asked about the comments by LancsLive, Starmer said: ‘As you know, we take all these things very seriously in the Labour Party and there are processes around that.’
A Labour Party spokesperson later said: ‘These comments were deeply offensive and do not reflect the views of the Labour Party which has nothing but the utmost respect and support for our King and Monarchy.’
Matt Vickers, Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, said: ‘These outrageous comments show just how little Labour has changed. Even Sir Keir himself previously admitted he was a republican, so it’s no surprise that Labour doesn’t just tolerate these individuals, they’re trying to elect them.
‘If Starmer has any respect for the monarchy he should immediately withdraw these candidates.’
In an apology Ms Pritchard said: ‘I am deeply sorry for the offensive comments I made on social media which have recently come to light. These were wrong, I should not have said them and I apologise unreservedly.’
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