New council chairman stands down after NN Journal investigation
Exclusive: North Northamptonshire Council chairman Maurice Eglin has announced his resignation today after our investigation uncovers offensive historic tweets
By Sarah Ward
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The Reform UK chairman of North Northamptonshire Council has today stood down in response to an NN Journal investigation into his social media activity.
Cllr Maurice Eglin, who was appointed as chairman last month, has resigned this morning ahead of our investigation being published, saying he had in the past been guilty of being a ‘keyboard warrior’. He has also apologised for his posts and said the language he used was ‘wrong’.
We had uncovered a series of offensive tweets which include Islamphobia, support for far right groups and anti-trans views. The tweets predate his election as a councillor last May and are from an account that he shut down shortly before being elected.
In one of several anti-muslim tweets he says in June 2024:
“How about f*ck Islam the hate, evil Religion that would kill my kind!”
In another he shares an image depicting a Muslim figure standing on top of a tower of skulls opposite a Christian figure stood on top of a pile of books.
He also reposted a tweet from far right Britain First leader Paul Golding and in another response to long standing politician George Galloway, he defends Tommy Robinson, calling Galloway a ‘racist hater’ and says that convicted criminal Robinson is ‘standing up for all of the British gB nationals [sic]’.
In August 2024 he tweeted ‘Please don’t tarnish all gay guys with the same brush as we don’t all agree with #LGBTQRIGHTS we hate where it has gone and is going. We believe in #LGBWithoutTheTQ and common sense.
We put the offensive material to Cllr Eglin along with the leader of the council Martin Griffiths yesterday and today he quit his civic role.
In an issued statement, the former soldier, said:
“I have today resigned as Chairman of North Northamptonshire Council with immediate effect.
“This follows the emergence of social media posts that I shared before I was elected as a councillor and before I joined Reform UK.
“I have served King and Country and, over the years, developed some very strong views about the state of our nation.
“Looking back, I deeply regret some of the comments and content I shared online during that period.
“At the time, I was often guilty of being a keyboard warrior and posting things that I would not post today.
“My time as a councillor has taught me to think more critically before reacting, be more objective and look at the detail first.
“Since becoming an elected member, I have had the privilege of working with and for people from all walks of life, backgrounds, faiths and beliefs. Those experiences have broadened my perspective and challenged some of my assumptions.
“The language used in some of those posts was wrong and does not reflect the person I strive to be today.
“I would like to offer my sincere and unreserved apologies to anyone who has been hurt by those posts. If I could take them back, I would.
“For that reason, and in order to protect the Office of the Chairman, I have taken the decision to step down from the role with immediate effect.
“Serving as Chairman has been a tremendous honour and I remain committed to serving the residents of North Northamptonshire as a councillor.”
He also told NN Journal there is a ‘fuller picture of who he is’ and referenced ‘significant personal trauma’ which he says had an impact on his mental health. Cllr Eglin represents the Barton Seagrave and Burton Latimer ward and will remain as a councillor.
Cllr Andy Sims is the current deputy chairman and is expected to step into the role.
The council’s leader Cllr Martin Griffiths, said:
“Councillor Maurice Eglin has informed the Council that he has resigned as Chairman of North Northamptonshire Council with immediate effect.
“This decision follows the emergence of social media posts made before Councillor Eglin was elected to public office.
“While these comments pre-date his time as a councillor, the language used does not reflect the standards expected of those holding senior civic positions.
“Following discussions with Councillor Eglin, it was agreed that stepping aside from the Chairmanship was the right course of action to protect the integrity of the role and maintain public confidence in the Council and Office of Chairman.
“North Northamptonshire is home to people from many different backgrounds, faiths and communities. As an administration, we are committed to building positive relationships across all parts of our community and ensuring that every resident feels respected and represented.
“Our focus remains on serving all residents of North Northamptonshire fairly, respectfully and without prejudice. We will continue working constructively with community groups, faith organisations and local residents to build a stronger and more united North Northamptonshire”
Well done on some more excellent local democracy reporting 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Even more credit to NNJ - great local service!