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In a shocking turn of events, Lucie Connolly, the wife of a Tory councillor, has been arrested for racial hatred following a controversial tweet inciting violence against migrant hotels. The tweet, which has since been deleted, called for rioters to “set fire to all the migrant hotels” and concluded with the phrase, “if that makes me racist, so be it.

Connolly, who works as a childminder in Northamptonshire, has apologized for her comments, attributing them to “a moment of extreme outrage and emotion” based on “false and malicious” information. Despite her apology, the incident has sparked widespread condemnation and raised questions about the responsibility of public figures in fueling social unrest.

Arrest and Investigation

Northamptonshire Police confirmed that a 41-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. A spokesperson stated that the arrest followed reports of a hate crime related to a social media post.

Connolly’s husband, Raymond, who serves as the vice chair of the committee on adult social care at West Northamptonshire Council, defended his wife in a statement to the BBC, asserting that she is not racist and highlighting her work caring for “Somalian and Bangladeshi kids.

The Controversial Tweet

The tweet, posted shortly after the tragic deaths of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, was part of a larger wave of misinformation and xenophobic sentiment spreading online. The tweet read:

Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care, while you’re at it take the treacherous government and politicians with them. I feel physically sick knowing what these families will now have to endure. If that makes me racist, so be it.”

Backlash and Consequences

Connolly’s comments quickly drew backlash, leading to her suspension from the online childcare community Childcare.co.uk. The organization confirmed the suspension after allegations emerged that she had an advert on their platform.

Despite deleting the tweet, Connolly continued to post on social media, expressing frustration with the ongoing riots and criticizing the government’s handling of the situation.

Response from Authorities

The incident has prompted a strong response from authorities and community leaders. Violent riots have erupted in several cities, including Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth, and Birmingham, following the Southport stabbing incident. These riots have included attacks on hotels believed to be housing migrants and asylum seekers.

Public and Political Reaction

Approached by the BBC, Cllr Raymond Connolly defended his wife, describing the tweet as a “stupid, spur-of-the-moment” comment made out of frustration. He emphasized that his wife is not racist, citing her work with children from diverse backgrounds.

In a public statement, Lucie Connolly expressed deep regret and apologized for her actions:

“I regret and apologize for a recent post that I made. Acting on information that I now know to be false and malicious, and in a moment of extreme outrage and emotion, I posted words that I realize were wrong in every way. This has been a valuable lesson for me, in realizing how wrong and inaccurate things appearing on social media can be, and I will never ever react in this way again.

Conclusion

The incident underscores the dangers of misinformation and the responsibility of individuals, particularly those connected to public figures, in fostering a respectful and truthful discourse. As investigations continue, the Connollys and their community are left to grapple with the repercussions of a momentary lapse in judgment that has had significant and far-reaching consequences.