THE Deputy PM has defended his Cabinet colleague for sending a controversial leaflet about a nearby gypsy and traveller site.
Oliver Dowden insisted that David TC Davies was not racist – and was “standing up for his constituents” by asking their thoughts.
The Tory MP was attacked for sending out flyers to the public in Monmouth asking: “Did you know the Labour controlled county council wants to create gypsy and traveller sites in your area?
“Would you like to see a traveller site next to your house? Y/N.”
It asked constituents to fill out the form and post it back to him to gauge their views.
But critics accused him of creating a “hostile environment” and taking aim at the traveller community.
Gwent Police said it was looking at “the content of the leaflet and its impact on the Gypsy and traveller and settled communities in Monmouthshire”.
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Mr Dowden said that the leaflet was not racist.
He told Sky: “I think what David TC Davies was doing was highlighting the failure of the local Labour council to carry out a proper consultation on this, that is entirely what people would expect their local members of Parliament to do.
“He is standing up for his constituents, making their case for them and I totally support his right to do that.”
