Hamilton city councillor James Casson. Photo / File
Hamilton city councillor James Casson. Photo / File
Hamilton mayor Andrew King has slammed the commentary of one of his councillors, but said it is unlikely he will be punished.
Councillor James Casson, who is running for the Hamilton mayoralty this year, posted on his councillor Facebook page sharing his thoughts on the Christchurch mosque shootings, which killed 50 people and injured many more, a little more than a fortnight ago.
Mr Casson's post criticised the Government's speedy ban on semi-automatic firearms, the ban on possessing copies of the alleged gunman's manifesto and a widespread bid to avoid use of his name.
"He wanted his time in the spotlight, he wanted a reaction and he has it in spades," Casson wrote of the accused gunman.
"Each reaction . . . he sits in his cell in the smug comfort of knowing he has impacted on everyday Kiwi life."
In the post, since deleted, Casson slammed the "knee-jerk reaction" from Government following the attack.
However, Mr King said the issue was bigger than politics, and his comments were insensitive.
"Fifty people died, and more injured. The talk of him calling refugee scum is just totally unacceptable. He made these comments before he was elected so we are unable to do anything under our code of conduct because at that time he was not a councillor."
A screenshot of a post on journalist's Angela Cuming's Twitter shows he called refugees scum after the terror attacks in Nice, France.
Mr King said council staff have done an assessment on whether councillor Casson broke code of conduct with his most recent posts, but it looks unlikely he will face consequences.
"It would appear that there is no basis to discipline him under the code. He was giving his opinion. I don't agree with anything he has said on the matter, and I am not here to endorse it.
"He will continue to be a councillor but his views are inconsistent to what most New Zealanders and my council believes.
"When it comes to the elections people will get their voice on who they want around the table."
He said that code of conduct is clear that councillors are on duty and representing the city.
Hamilton mayor Andrew King says councillor James Casson's comments do not reflect council's view. Photo / File
"Not all of us are strong, and some of us can be led by other's examples."
"The talk we have around our dining room tables, in public, people latch onto these things and that can turn into a reality and from that you get hate crimes."
Hamilton city council's chief executive Richard Briggs said the views expressed by Mr Casson are not shared by council.
"Mr Casson published a post regarding the Christchurch terror attack and the country's reaction which has hurt and upset many in our community," Mr Briggs said
"Widespread media coverage of his comments has included reference to a separate social media post on his account from 2016 – prior to him becoming a councillor."
Council has received several complaints from the public about the posts, Briggs says.
"During Cr Casson's elected term he is subject to our Code of Conduct, as are all elected members. We have assessed Cr Casson's comments against the Code of Conduct and sought independent advice. While his recent comments are not reflective of the views of many in our community or the Council, they do not breach the Code.
"However, I want to make it clear these views are those of Cr Casson and not the view of this Council. We are proud of the way the people of Hamilton have stood by Christchurch and the wider community since the attacks on 15 March."
Hamilton city council's CEO Richard Briggs. Photo / File
Other councillors have also expressed their views.
On her councillor Facebook page, councillor Angela O'Leary said "Mr Casson, like all elected representatives, is accountable to the public for his personal views and behaviour. Views I do not support.
"I understand and share the deep concern expressed regarding Cr Casson's reflections following the Christchurch tragedy.
"Hamilton is so much more than a few, it is the sum of all of us. The colour of all of our faces, our different cultures, our views and values, our ideas and our politics, our rainbows and our genders. That is the thing that we should be talking about. That is the thing we should be known for. That is the thing I am proud of. Let's talk about that."
Councillor Dave Macpherson on his Twitter page said councillor Casson's views were a stain on council.
Casson advised New Zealanders against mourning the loss of those killed in the attack - saying that in doing so, they're letting the alleged gunman "win".
"Let's move on as a nation, never forget or forgive but strive to live as normal," the post concluded.
Hamilton city councillors return to the debating chambers this Tuesday for a community and services meeting, before a full council meeting on Thursday.
