{"id":1997,"date":"2026-05-13T17:45:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/reform-councillor-who-called-holocaust-hoax-quits-farages-party-days-after-election\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T17:45:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:45:49","slug":"reform-councillor-who-called-holocaust-hoax-quits-farages-party-days-after-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/reform-councillor-who-called-holocaust-hoax-quits-farages-party-days-after-election\/","title":{"rendered":"Reform councillor who called Holocaust \u2018hoax\u2019 quits Farage&#8217;s party days after election"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_184259\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Jay Cooper has stepped down less than a week after being elected to represent the Bootle West ward on Sefton Council in Merseyside<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\"><\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37152365\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Man with dark curly hair\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Jay_Leslie_Cooper.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Jay Cooper has quit Reform UK\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Jay Cooper has quit Reform UK<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Reform-Party\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Reform<\/a> councillor who claimed the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Holocaust-Memorial-Day\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Holocaust<\/a> was a \u201choax\u201d has quit just days after being elected.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/reform-councillors-who-face-calls-37136017\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Jay Cooper<\/a> was chosen to represent the Bootle West ward on Sefton Council in <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Merseyside\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Merseyside<\/a> in last week\u2019s local elections, winning 705 votes. But less than a week into the job, the councillor has stepped down over vile comments made on social media last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sharing an article about the fatal shooting of US commentator Charlie Kirk, he wrote: \u201cHeartbreaking. Murdered for having an opinion.\u201d In response to a comment that asked: \u201c[Adolf] Hitler had an [opinion] too; did he deserve to die?,&#8221; Cooper said he did not agree with the murder of innocent people, but branded the Holocaust a \u201choax\u201d and \u201cpropaganda.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37152382\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37152382\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Man stands at podium\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Local-elections-2026.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Nigel Farage said Cooper was &quot;not welcome&quot; in Reform UK\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Nigel Farage said Cooper was &#8220;not welcome&#8221; in Reform UK<cite aria-label=\"Image: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_ae62be\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37149355\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/wes-streeting-starmer-leadership-resign-37149355\" tabindex=\"0\">Wes Streeting &#8216;preparing to quit to trigger leadership contest&#8217;<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_ae62be\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37144527\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/reform-suspends-council-leader-latest-37144527\" tabindex=\"0\">Reform suspends council leader in latest of  series of blows to the party<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">On a visit to Merseyside, Farage said Cooper was \u201cnot welcome\u201d in Reform, reports the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\/liverpool-news\/new-bootle-councillor-apologises-holocaust-33930906\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool Echo<\/a>. Cooper has now deleted the posts from his public <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/facebook\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Facebook<\/a> page and issued an apology. He has resigned from the party but will continue to represent his ward as an independent councillor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: \u201cI apologise this has took (sic) so long. I want to start by addressing comments I made regarding the Holocaust last year. The Holocaust was real. I was not denying the existence of the camps or the systematic murder carried out by the Nazi regime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI have visited Auschwitz multiple times and have seen first hand the conditions and historical evidence of those atrocities. My comments were poorly expressed and have understandably caused concern and upset. I was not denying the suffering of millions of victims or the crimes committed by the Nazis.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37152405\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37152405\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People holding blue and white Reform UK flags\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_BRITAIN-CRIME-RELIGION-PROTEST.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Reform UK made seismic gains in last week's local elections\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Reform UK made seismic gains in last week&#8217;s local elections<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI accept that my words failed to reflect the seriousness and sensitivity this subject demands, and for that I sincerely apologise. I would also like to apologise to anyone who was offended or hurt by my comments. I take full responsibility for my remarks. As a result, I have decided today to resign from Reform UK and continue serving as an independent representative.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He continued: \u201cThe people of Bootle West voted for me to be their voice, and I remain committed to serving them honestly and tirelessly. I will be here to listen and be the voice of my constituents. I want to thank everyone who placed their trust in me. Too many people in Bootle still feel ignored, left behind, and unheard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI will continue working every day to justify the confidence shown in me, while also earning the respect of those who did not vote for me. I hope, in time, my actions and service to the community will speak louder than this mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">BBC<\/a> reported Reform UK confirmed Cooper had resigned and said his party membership had been revoked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cooper&#8217;s resignation comes after fellow newly-elected <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/reform-councillors-who-face-calls-37136017\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Reform<\/a> UK councillor <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/reform-stuart-prior-nigel-farage-37140853\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Stuart Prior also resigned<\/a>. <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/reform-uk-election-results-essex-37129362\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Stuart Prior<\/a> was one of 53 <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/farage-reform-councillor-bnp-election-37133573\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Reform members<\/a> elected to Essex County Council last week as Nigel Farage&#8217;s party earned a majority. Prior resigned from the council and has been expelled from the party days after the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Mirror<\/a> exposed him for &#8216;racist bile&#8217; on social media.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/reform-uk-farage-jay-cooper-37152317\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jay Cooper has stepped down less than a week after being elected to represent the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1998,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778694349_0_Jay_Leslie_Cooper.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1997"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1997\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}