The Labour leader of england/peterborough/”>Peterborough City Council has resigned after being accused of using offensive language to describe grooming gang victims in Rotherham. The resignation comes amid reports of the Peterborough Council Leader resigning after the ‘White Trash’ grooming gang controversy.

Cllr Dennis Jones stepped down as council leader on Wednesday following the emergence of private messages in which he allegedly referred to victims as “poor white trash.”

The messages were made public by former Labour councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, who left the party earlier this year citing bullying. On 8 August, she says Cllr Jones sent her a message in response to her comments about immigration and women’s safety.

In the alleged exchange, Cllr Jones wrote:

“Oh so white wales/british/”>British cops fing poor white trash in Rotherham is OK, is it? Get a fing grip Daisy. You are aiming for populist votes and attention.”

Cllr Blakemore-Creedon shared the messages on social media, accusing the council leader of “offensive slurs” and of politicising the suffering of abuse victims.

Council and Party Response

Peterborough City Council confirmed Cllr Jones’s resignation in a statement:

“The Leader of Peterborough City Council, Councillor Dennis Jones, has today resigned with immediate effect. An Extraordinary Full Council meeting will be called as soon as reasonably possible to appoint a new Council Leader. Councillor Jones remains a councillor and will serve as an independent.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said the party had acted swiftly:

“The Labour Party expects the highest standards from our members and our elected representatives. The language used here was inappropriate and swift action has been taken, in line with our rules and procedures. We cannot comment further while an investigation is ongoing.”

Opposition Condemnation

Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, leader of the Conservative group on Peterborough City Council, condemned the remarks:

“Calling white working-class girls white trash is deeply offensive and unacceptable. Even if it was a private message, it would upset many parents and young people in Peterborough. The leader of the council needs to explain himself urgently, or resign with immediate effect. The Labour Party has serious questions to answer.”

Blakemore-Creedon’s Statement

In her post, Ms Blakemore-Creedon accused Cllr Jones of “demeaning and classist” language, and of trying to deflect from legitimate concerns about immigration and women’s safety.

She wrote:

• “The phrase ‘white trash’ dismisses victims of grooming gangs as if their suffering is less worthy of respect because of their background. That is completely unacceptable, especially from someone in public life.”
• “Instead of engaging, he deflected and turned hostile, undermining open and respectful dialogue.”

What Happens Next

Cllr Jones will continue to sit as an independent councillor, but his departure leaves the Labour-run authority in turmoil. A new council leader will be appointed at an Extraordinary Full Council meeting.

The comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Labour’s handling of historic grooming gang scandals, which remain a politically charged and sensitive issue across the UK.