A Liberal Democrat who labelled Barnsley a town where diversity was not welcome says his words caused anger because they are true.
Dominic Carman used a Mail on Sunday column to blast the town after he finished sixth in the Barnsley Central by-election.
He said difference and diversity were not welcome and claimed he was spat at and was told by one person there were no gays in Barnsley. His words caused an angry repsonse in Barnsley, as the Chronicle and Chronicle Online reported last week.
This week he wrote to the paper insisting his views were accurate. "My recent article in the Mail on Sunday has caused anger to some people in Barnsley. Because it told the truth."
He said he received hostility because of the Liberal Democrats' involvement in the coalition government and because he camapaigned against the BNP.
"Yes, the majority of Barnsley voters are not anti-foreigner, but a very significant minority are. Simply pretending otherwise is not acceptable. It is an uncomfortable truth, but it is the truth nonetheless - and not one which should remain unspoken or swept under the carpet - even if I receive hostile comment for holding a mirror up to what voters were telling me."
He urged other political parties to 'drive the BNP out of the town'. "It would enhance the reputation of Barnsley no end."
• Read the full letter: http://bit.ly/hyoabf
• Related article: 'Barnsley hits back at Lib Dem loser': http://bit.ly/eV6LxU
