News / Politics
Ferguson calls campaigner a ‘jerk’ on video
City mayor George Ferguson is under the spotlight for his language again after he was caught on video calling a protester a “jerk”.
Ferguson was confronted by environmental campaigner Ian Robinson at the Avonnmouth Make Sunday Special.
Robinson, dressed as a fly, confronted the mayor about his track record on tackling pollution in the area.
Ferguson told Robinson, an Avonmouth resident who has campaigned on issues of dust from wood processing plants and last year’s fly infestation, that he was “spoiling” the party for everyone else.
The event in Avonmouth was the last Make Sundays Special of the the summer. The free community parties have been held in various locations around the city this year. Last year’s series of events cost the city £52,990.
Huge enthusiasm for #Avonmouth #MakeSundaySpecial – requests for 2016 repeat. Great community talent and contribution pic.twitter.com/WkIYElx2CQ
— George Ferguson (@GeorgeFergusonx) September 13, 2015
In May 2013, Ferguson was caught on film telling a protester to “fuck off” at a public event in the Bearpit, under St James’ Barton roundabout.
Ferguson has been contacted for comment.
@GeorgeFergusonx @BristolCouncil @RealBristolNews @BristolianNews @bbcrb #Avonmouth preparing to give you a welcome for MSS #FacistFrauds
— Ian Robinson (@Ian_R_) September 13, 2015
Update: 12.30pm
George Ferguson has released a statement saying: “I’m always happy to talk directly to people about their concerns and I’ve made myself more available across the city than any other politician in Bristol, but the video shows that when I tried to engage with this particularly persistent Avonmouth based protester he refused to listen. Previously he has confronted me with a pigs head and a lot of shouting!
“It is unacceptable harassment to be trailed around by a lone protestor with a loud-hailer at a community family event, and achieves nothing except causing irritation to people who were otherwise greatly enjoying a highly successful day at Make Sunday Special. I was annoyed on the behalf of those who had to put up with his antics, but am doing all I can to work with the local councillors and Neighbourhood Partnership to improve Avonmouth with new investment. A protest such as this does not help the situation.”
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