Derbyshire councillor loses paralegal job over 'PM deserves this' comment

A Derbyshire councillor and town mayor has lost her job at a solicitors firm after she said on Facebook that coronavirus-stricken Boris Johnson ‘completely deserves this’.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Labour councillor Sheila Oakes, who represents Heanor East on Amber Valley Borough Council and is also mayor for Heanor, posted on Facebook: “Sorry, he completely deserves this and he is one of the worst PMs we’ve ever had.”

Ms Oakes has since suspended by Labour, and has since apologised.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her employer, VHS Fletchers Solicitors, said she was "no longer employed by this firm in any capacity".

Sheila OakesSheila Oakes
Sheila Oakes

Ms Oakes worked as a paralegal at the firm's Ilkeston office.

The company said it had become "embroiled in criticism" as a result of her comments.

In a statement published on its website, VHS Fletchers Solicitors said her comments were "deeply offensive" and that her views were "not shared by the partners or any other members of staff".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It added: "To wish illness upon anyone must be abhorrent to all right thinking members of the public."

Chris Emmas-Williams, the leader of Amber Valley Labour group, told the Derbyshire Times the whip had now been removed from Ms Oakes, meaning she will no longer sit as a Labour councillor but as an independent.

He also promised a ‘full investigation’ into her conduct and added: “This behaviour is totally unacceptable and not what the Labour Party is about.

“I’m appalled and so upset by these comments.

“I feel as leader of the Labour group I have to apologise as well to Boris Johnson and his family and we wish him well.”