Cllr Ian Ward has come under yet further fire for his recently-made comments, where he stated that he felt Prince Andrew was more worthy of being the Duke of Edinburgh than Prince Edward.
Chairman of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association and former leader of the Isle of Wight council, David Pugh, has been particularly candid with News OnTheWight after we asked for his opinion on the gaffe made by Cllr Ward earlier this month.
Pugh: He lacks judgement and this is unlikely to change
David Pugh told News OnTheWight,
“Ian Ward has previously been reminded of the need to be careful when commenting online, but time and time again he makes crass interventions such as this. He lacks judgement and this is unlikely to change.
“I am stepping down as Chairman of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association this summer, so I’m not going to waste any time trying to offer any kind of explanation or justification for Ian Ward’s latest foray into social media. It is indefensible.
“It will be for my successors in the Association to decide whether he is suitable to represent the Conservative Party at the next council elections.”
Pugh removed Ward from Cabinet
David Pugh had previously been an Isle of Wight councillor for Shanklin and for almost six years was IW council Leader.
Reminded of Cllr Ward during that time, Pugh told News OnTheWight,
“I would also note it is a matter of public record that I removed Ian Ward from the Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet when I became Council Leader in 2007, and he did not serve in any executive function throughout my time in this role.
“Every time I see one of his controversial social media posts I am reminded why I took this approach.”
Ward: David Pugh is entitled to his opinion
News OnTheWight asked Cllr Ward this morning for a response to David Pugh’s comments. Within less than an hour Cllr Ward replied ,
“Of course, David Pugh is entitled to his opinion, as am I.
“I would not be so rude as to comment upon David.”
Ward: Can relate to Prince Andrew
When News OnTheWight wrote to Cllr Ward 15 days ago asking him to explain why he felt that Prince Andrew was a worthy contender for Duke of Edinburgh – given that the King’s brother had been stripped of his military titles and royal duties, accused of sexual assault and battery of a minor, and paid the defendant millions of pounds to avoid going to court – Cllr Ian Ward failed to respond.
We asked him again today whether he would answer the question and once again he has failed to do so.
Cllr Ward did, however, tell the County Press that he’d made the comment because he can relate to Prince Andrew.
Image: © Beryl
