News / Politics
Tory councillor apologises for ‘shocking’ comments on NHS
A Tory councillor has been forced to apologise for the second time in a week after appearing to suggest addiction and gender reassignment should not be funded by the NHS.
Comments made by Brislington East Tony Carey on Facebook were slammed as “shocking” by members of the public, who hit out at his sentiment and argued it is the Conservative Government’s austerity policies that are to blame for “destroying” the health service.
The councillor quickly apologised for his “clumsy” wording, saying that he did not intend to cause any offence and that the statement has come across in “entirely the wrong way to that intended”.
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The latest furore comes just days after Carey apologised during a full council meeting on Tuesday, September 11 for verbally lashing out at a woman in the public gallery, who warned time was running out to debate cuts to the special educational needs budget.
Carey asked: “Who asked you?” in an angry outburst, drawing criticism from other councillors in the chamber. He immediately stood up to apologise for his actions.
“Look at all the money wasted for foolish people who, having had tattoos now want them removed on the NHS. All the people receiving gender assignment treatment,” went Carey’s subsequent Facebook post.
“Think of the billions of pounds spent on resuscitating drug addicts every day. The A&E department of the BRI is like a zombie treatment centre at times on a weekend. The NHS was not designed for this sort of thing.”
Stefan Dewer, who shared the post, said: “This guy actually represents people.”
In response to criticism, Carey said: “I am very sorry if I have offended anyone.
“The statement released on social media was clumsily made and has come across in entirely the wrong way to that intended.
“I did not want to suggest that the NHS should not be funding conditions like gender reassignment. In fact, I have a family member currently considering such treatment.
“My point was that because of the ever increasing and more complicated demands place upon the Service, the NHS will always be short of money, unless government were to impose much higher rates of taxation.
“Once again, I apologise for any upset that my poor phrasing may have caused.”
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