A newly appointed Labour Mayor has plunged into controversy after photographs resurfaced of him dressed as Adolf Hitler at a charity event over a decade ago. Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE, who took office in St Helens earlier this month, has faced an immediate backlash as over 1,000 constituents signed a petition demanding his resignation. The damning images depict Mr Gomez-Aspron in a German Army uniform, adorned with a swastika and faux moustache, taken in 2009 during a fancy dress dinner for Claire House Hospice, which supports seriously and terminally ill children.
The mayor's defence is a feeble attempt to deflect responsibility, claiming his costume choice was inspired by Mel Brooks' satirical film "The Producers." He describes the decision as a "clumsy" misstep from his youth, but many rightfully question how someone with such a questionable judgment is now holding a position of power. His apology failed to quell the outrage; protests included a walkout by 11 councillors during his swearing-in ceremony, highlighting a significant lack of confidence in his leadership. One councillor stated that Mr Gomez-Aspron is "reviled throughout St Helens for his inappropriate behaviour and attitude," indicating a deep-seated belief that he's unfit for public office, especially in such a prominent role.
This incident is merely the latest in a series of troubling conduct from Mr Gomez-Aspron. His history includes apologies for "offensive" remarks made during council meetings, where he displayed a shocking lack of respect towards a fellow councillor during discussions on council tax increases. Such behaviour is indicative of a leader who does not take accountability for his actions, culminating in formal complaints and insufficient apologies.
Moreover, Mr Gomez-Aspron's past controversies extend to receiving a Police Information Notice in 2019 following harassment allegations from a member of the public, which he dismisses by alleging the complainant had a history of harassing him. Further complicating his public image, offensive language from a 2015 Facebook post has resurfaced, raising even more serious concerns about his capacity to represent his constituents effectively.
Despite these multiple outrages, Gomez-Aspron has maneuvered his way into various leadership roles, including his appointment as deputy leader of St Helens Borough Council in May 2020—a move that drew disbelief and condemnation from his political opponents. The leader of the Conservative group in St Helens labelled it the "most amazing decision this Labour group has ever made," a clear indication that even within the local political arena, the faith in his leadership is faltering.
As Mr Gomez-Aspron grapples with this latest scandal, reminiscent of his past transgressions, it remains uncertain whether the escalating calls for his resignation will be acknowledged. The local Labour Party is under increasing pressure to confront the serious concerns about his suitability for office. With public sentiment sharply shifting against him, the likelihood of a heavily scrutinised tenure seems inevitable. In light of Gomez-Aspron’s troubling history, one must question how the new Labour government can maintain credibility amidst such clear failures of leadership.
Source: Noah Wire Services