‘She doesn’t have a racist bone in her body’ – councilor defends suspended Tory leader

The Express & Star revealed on Tuesday night that Councilor Thompson, a Wolverhampton councilor for 34 years, had been suspended by the Conservative Party following two complaints – including one for alleged racial discrimination. Councilor Thompson strongly denied both claims and said he would fight to clear his name.

Councilor Celia Hibbert, who is of African descent, said Councilor Thompson did not have “one racist bone in her body”.

Councilor Hibbert, a former Labor councilor who is now an independent, said he was disgusted to read of Councilor Thompson’s suspension.

“I hope the new Tory ‘woke’ mob haven’t arrived in Wolverhampton,” she said.

“I am a bit surprised as the only African councilor in the City of Wolverhampton that I have not even been contacted by whoever is investigating this to share my experience of Councilor Thompson. I hope to get the call.

“I’ve been on the board for almost a decade. Although Councilor Thompson is of a different political party to me, she is one that I can happily vouch for without a single racist bone in her body.

“I’ve been on several committees with her, had several interactions with her, and seen her interact with colleagues as well.

“I hope her party will be able to investigate this quickly and robustly. Time and time again we see very formidable elected politicians undermined by orchestrated political hunting in this growing wilderness of democracy.”

Councilor Hibbert said Councilor Thompson had the longest tenure on council, consistently securing the highest votes in council elections.

“Achievements like this have to count for something,” she said.

Councilor Hibbert said Councilor Thompson has a lot of experience in holding the Labor leadership in Wolverhampton to account.

“My real concern is that, in her absence, who will do this vital work?” she said.

“My fervent wish will be that Councilor Wendy Thompson can quickly clear her name but give up the ungrateful Conservative Party and their growing trend of political disorder.”

Councilor Thompson was leader of the opposition Conservative group for 10 years.

She was previously cabinet member for finance when the Tories were in charge of the authority. Her suspension comes just weeks after councilor Mike Bird was sacked as leader of Walsall Council after he was also suspended by the party. It is understood one of the complaints against Councilor Thompson was made by a member of council staff who alleged racial discrimination after being moved to another department. The other came from a Conservative Party staff member.

“I will appeal against this,” she said. “It’s funny that I’m the second group leader in the Black Country to have this done to them by the party.” If they keep looking, we could start a club.

“What the hell is the Conservative Party doing?”

Councilor Thompson claimed the complaint related to a new member of council staff who had not completed his probationary period at work.

“As he was not up to it, I kindly suggested that he move to a better job.

“He returned this act of kindness by filing a very mean complaint.”

Councilor Thompson, who represents the Tettenhall Wightwick ward, said she would appeal the decision to remove her name but was undecided on whether she would want to return to the party.

“I’m more concerned with looking after residents than a political party,” she said.

“I went into this to serve the community, not the Conservative Party, and I will continue to do so. I’ve just been elected to serve another three years and I’m totally committed to it.”

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Councillor Wendy Thompson has been suspended from the Conservative Party following a disciplinary investigation.

“The Conservative Party has an established code of conduct and a formal process where complaints can be made confidentially. This process is rightfully confidential.”