AN IMAGE that appeared on the Twitter account of a Belfast City Councillor has sparked an online backlash, with one MLA dubbing it ‘grossly offensive’.
The tweet appeared on the Twitter account of Independent unionist councillor Jolene Bunting on Thursday afternoon.
It was visible for several hours but appears to have been removed this evening.
The tweet – a take on the Pepe the Frog meme – showed an adult frog dressed in a Union Jack top holding the hand of a child frog in a Tricolour top.
It is captioned “C’mon Paddy, EU can leave too”.
The Irish character was depicted holding a pint of Guinness and wearing a hat with the slogan, ‘Please be patient, I have famine’.
The tweet now appears to have been deletedAlliance Party leader Naomi Long MLA responded to the tweet, branding it “grossly offensive”.
Another user commented: “As a unionist, this ‘cartoon’ is grossly offensive.”
A third added: “As a British man I am disgusted, decent British people do not want to be associated with somebody like you!”
Fellow Belfast City Councillor Deirdre Hargey of Sinn Féin revealed she had reported the tweet.
“I have reported an offensive tweet by Councillor Bunting to the local government ombudsman and lodged a complaint with Belfast City Council under the Standing Orders as it is a breach the Code of Conduct for Councillors,” said Cllr Hargey.
“There is no place for tweets of this nature and Cllr Bunting should remove it immediately.”
The Irish Post has approached Ms Bunting for a comment.
