An Oldham councillor has said wearing a military-style uniform with Nazi symbols was a ‘bad choice’ after an old image of him posing in the outfit was circulated on WhatsApp.
The snap of independent Shaw councillor Marc Hince has been seen by people across the borough after being sent around on the messaging app.
He is seen in uniform featuring Nazi swastikas and other related symbols. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he wore the outfit as part of a Second World War re-enactment in Saddleworth more than a decade ago.
“It was for a YANKS weekend in Saddleworth, which was World War Two themed. A friend at the time who was into re-enactments, so he lent me a few WW2 German Army uniform bits.
“On reflection, this was a bad choice. But it was not meant to offend and was worn in an appropriate context. Although I apologise if the resurfacing causes any offence.
“It does not reflect me as a person or my political views.” Coun Hince said he is being ‘seriously trolled’ and has received ‘online threats and abuse’ after he voted to keep Labour in power in the town hall on Wednesday (May 22) after the local elections left the chamber in no overall control.
He added: “This is just another attempt to tarnish me. No doubt there are people looking for old school pictures of me with bad haircuts as we speak.”
An Oldham council spokesperson said: “We are aware of a photograph of a sitting councillor circulating online. We expect all councillors to uphold the highest standard of public service in office.”
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