BARNSLEY’S new Reform-led council leaders have given their full backing to a newly-elected councillor who is facing pressure to resign after photographs emerged which appeared to show him with a swastika tattoo.

Images of Andy Arnold, who represents the Wombwell ward, have circulated this week on social media dating back to 2018.

They were posted on an account linked to a tattoo studio called Tattoo Wombwell, registered under the name of Theresa Arnold, a fellow Reform councillor who is also his wife.

The swastika strongly associated with Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust is widely regarded as a hate symbol but it’s instead been excused as a ‘misunderstanding’ due to his ‘brief interest’ in Buddhism.

Following a complaint that was issued by Barnsley Labour Group, council leader William Brown pledged his support behind Coun Arnold and insisted it had been ‘mischaracterised’.

The letter said: “I take concerns about elected members seriously and have carefully considered the points raised, along with the material referenced.

“Having done so, I want to be clear: there is no evidence that Coun Arnold supports or endorses extremist or hateful views.

“The symbol referred to has been mischaracterised.

“It is a Buddhist symbol of peace, presented in a non-tilted form that is widely recognised as distinct from the Nazi swastika a rotated symbol associated with a very different and abhorrent history.

“The characterisation set out in your letter demonstrates an insufficient understanding of the relevant cultural and religious context.

“It is important that such matters are properly understood before accusations of this nature are made.

“I would therefore urge Labour to exercise greater care and responsibility in making claims of this kind.

“Misrepresentations of this nature do nothing to support constructive or respectful political debate.

“On the basis of the information available, I do not consider that any further action is required.

“I remain committed, however, to upholding high standards of conduct across the council.”

A statement from Barnsley’s Labour branch now the official opposition to Reform in the town hall said Coun Arnold was ‘totally unfit to serve’.

“We are utterly shocked and appalled at the revelations that a Barnsley Reform councillor has had a swastika tattoo.

“He is totally unfit to serve as a councillor and should do the right thing by resigning immediately.

“These revelations raise serious questions about the entire vetting process for Barnsley Reform candidates in letting such a person stand for election.

“Many people in Barnsley will be deeply concerned at this situation.

“Barnsley Labour will always stand against discrimination and support those in our communities who facing persecution and discrimination.”

The tattoo has since been covered because of it being ‘incorrectly associated it with something entirely different from its original religious context’, the Chronicle understands.

However, two of Barnsley’s Labour MPs Dan Jarvis and Stephanie Peacock blasted the stance and questioned Reform’s vetting processes.

Barnsley’s Liberal Democrats group echoed Labour’s thoughts, with a statement adding: “A large concern is that this was visible as recently as one year ago and was present for over seven years.

“If it was causing confusion, this would have certainly have been covered at a much earlier time, not just before running for election.

“This brings into question Coun Arnold, as well as the vetting practices of Reform both locally and nationally, continuing on from the recent news of a Sheffield councillor being suspended for previously sharing Nazi-related material.

“As a group we request Reform to conduct an investigation into Coun Arnold, ensure the correct checks were performed during their vetting and, until such an investigation is complete, suspend Coun Arnold from the party.

“Barnsley, as a town, has a history of sheltering European refugees, including Jewish people, who fled the continent across both world wars looking for safety.

“Such allegations cannot be waved away and must be acted upon to protect the reputation of our great town.”

The Chronicle contacted Coun Arnold for a response.