Peterborough City Council leader Dennis Jones has resigned following the exposure of vile WhatsApp messages in which he referred to Rotherham child sexual abuse victims as “poor white trash”.
The Labour politician stepped down on Thursday after Independent councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, 19, shared screenshots of their August exchange on social media, sparking widespread outrage and calls for his resignation.
Dennis Jones, the Labour leader of Peterborough City Council, has resigned following the revelation of his use of the phrase to another councillor. The Labour Party has also administratively suspended Mr Jones pending an investigation, though he remains a councillor and will serve as an independent.
The Shocking WhatsApp Exchange
The controversial messages came to light when Ms Blakemore-Creedon posted screenshots of their 8 August conversation on social media on 3 September. She said she had messaged Mr Jones: “I care about safety and why should immigration put women’s safety at risk[?].”
A message labelled from Mr Jones responded: “Oh so white 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.”
In subsequent messages, Mr Jones appeared to mock the young councillor, saying “Give them your sweetest pout” and “I wish you no luck at all”.
Political Fallout and Condemnation
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the comments as “truly abhorrent”, highlighting that “Peterborough is one of the 50 towns and cities identified as somewhere these disgusting rape gangs are believed to have operated.
Mr Philp called for Mr Jones to be expelled from the Labour Party, stating: “If Keir Starmer is serious about protecting victims, he will immediately expel this despicable man. He also criticised the Government, saying victims and survivors have been “let down by this Labour Government who had to be dragged kicking and screaming every step of the way.
Wayne Fitzgerald, the Conservative group leader on Peterborough City Council, said: “Calling white working class girls white trash is deeply offensive and unacceptable.
Council’s Response and Resignation
“The resignation is in response to comments made by Councillor Jones which were shared on social media,” said a spokesperson for the council. The council confirmed that an extraordinary full council meeting would be held as soon as reasonably possible to appoint a new leader.
“A formal complaint has been received by the council in relation to this and we are now considering its contents.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “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.”
Victim Impact and Councillor’s Response
Ms Blakemore-Creedon, Britain’s youngest councillor when elected last year at age 18, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service about the exchange. “We were having a civil and respectful exchange, until that moment. His words took me aback, and I was honestly too stunned to respond in the moment. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the conversation.”
She revealed the personal impact of sharing the messages: “Since sharing this last night, I’ve had victims reach out to me directly. Their voices, their pain, and their courage confirm what I knew deep down: speaking out was the right thing to do.”
Ms Blakemore-Creedon emphasised it wasn’t about “point-scoring or politics” but about the safety, dignity and lived experiences of victims. “No one should ever feel silenced when those values are dismissed so casually,” she said.
Jones’s Apology and Statement
Following his resignation, Mr Jones released a statement saying his decision was in the “best interests of Peterborough City Council. He went on: “With regard to the topic discussed, let me be absolutely clear: vile perpetrators of sexual abuse must face the full force of the law, and we must all continue to fight for victims of such abhorrent crimes to get the justice they deserve.
In trying to assert this view, I used language which some who wrongly dismiss or choose to ignore such evil crimes commonly use to minimise such criminality. In doing so, I was intending to discredit this completely wrong characterisation and highlight the need to stand up for victims of such crimes.”
“I apologise wholeheartedly for some of the language used in these messages, which was clearly inappropriate, and for any offence I may have caused as a result.”
Background Context
Ms Blakemore-Creedon had resigned from the Labour Party in May over bullying accusations before becoming an Independent councillor. The 19-year-old represents the Fletton and Woodston ward in Peterborough.
The Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal involved the systematic abuse of at least 1,400 children between 1997 and 2013, with victims as young as 11 being raped by multiple perpetrators, trafficked to other cities, and subjected to horrific abuse. The scandal has become a focal point in debates about child protection, institutional failures, and the handling of grooming gangs across Britain.
Peterborough itself has faced issues with grooming gangs, making Jones’s dismissive language particularly controversial given the city’s own history with such crimes.
Looking Ahead
The resignation has reignited debates about attitudes towards grooming gang victims and the political response to child sexual exploitation. With victims reaching out directly to Ms Blakemore-Creedon following her brave decision to expose the messages, the incident highlights the ongoing trauma and need for sensitivity when discussing these heinous crimes.
As Peterborough City Council prepares to elect a new leader, questions remain about the culture within local politics and the standards expected of elected officials when discussing vulnerable victims of serious crimes.
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