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# Conservative candidate for local elections steps down
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/conservative-candidate-for-local-elections-steps-down/
- Published: 2019-04-01T08:34:02.000Z
- Updated: 2019-04-01T08:34:02.000Z
- Description: Conservative candidate standing for election to Brighton & Hove City Council on May 2, resigns after a series of offensive jokes come to light on a FACEBOOK social media forum. Conservative Party member Ivan Lyons, the managing director of a financial services company made jokes targeting people who
- Author: Gary Hart

![Ivan Lyons](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web-600-1.jpg)

Ivan Lyons

## Conservative candidate standing for election to Brighton & Hove City Council on May 2, resigns after a series of offensive jokes come to light on a FACEBOOK social media forum.

**CONSERVATIVE Party member Ivan Lyons**, the managing director of a financial services company made jokes targeting people who were Muslim, disabled and overweight.

**Brighton and Hove Conservatives chairman, Mike Long, said:** *“Before being selected as a Conservative candidate, Ivan, in a private social media forum amongst friends, shared jokes which are now in the public domain. Brighton & Hove Conservatives agree that many of the jokes are of an offensive nature and we unconditionally condemn the material that has been published.*

*“The Conservative Party, both nationally and locally, does not tolerate discriminatory behaviour against any group. We do not tolerate either anti-Semitism or Islamophobia.*

*“Whilst we do not condone Ivan’s behaviour, we do note that he has himself been the victim of social media hate campaigns and condemn all offensive and hate-filled dialogue from whichever quarter it originates.”*

“We will continue to campaign in a fair and open way on the important issues which face our city and ask that those who disagree with us do so too.

Mr Lyons has apologised *“profusely”* for any offence caused.

![Cllr Denise Cobb](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web-200.jpg)

Cllr Denise Cobb

Brighton and Hove Conservatives have now announced that Councillor **Denise Cobb** will stand for re-election for the Westbourne ward. Cllr Cobb a former Mayor of Brighton & Hove has a long record of service to the residents of Westbourne Ward, and the City of Brighton and Hove.

**Cllr Cobb said:** *“Following Ivan Lyons resignation I have thought hard about this. It is important to me that the Westbourne residents are well represented at Brighton and Hove City Council.*

*“My experience stands me in good stead to continue to work hard for them.”*

She will campaign alongside Conservative candidate Charlie Nicholls.

**Cllr Cobb said:** *“I am really looking forward to campaigning with Charlie Nicholls. We will work together in the best interests of Westbourne.”*

**Charlie Nicholls said:** *“I am really pleased Denise will be joining me in our campaign in Westbourne.*

*“Denise knows how to get things done and together we will be a formidable team.”*