Hampshire County Council and former New Forest District Council member Alexis McEvoy attends victim awareness course after calling Arsenal star and Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright a “typical black hypocrite” on Twitter in Gary Lineker row

DISGRACED former New Forest councillor Alexis McEvoy has attended a victim awareness course after posting an offensive message about Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright on Twitter.

Cllr McEvoy quit the Conservative Party and was stood down from numerous public roles in March after she called the ex-Arsenal FC star a “typical black hypocrite” using her now deleted Twitter account.

Her comments were made in relation to Mr Wright’s public support for Gary Lineker over his comments on the government’s language on immigration.

Mr Wright slammed the tweet as “racist” and decried her subsequent apology as “fake”.

Cllr McEvoy now sits on the county council as an independent member.

Hampshire police confirmed they investigated Cllr McEvoy’s tweet as a potential hate crime and that she has now agreed with the police to adhere to a voluntary community resolution.

The force spokesperson said: “Following a thorough investigation (into the tweet) a 77-year-old woman from Blackfield was dealt with by way of a community resolution. The resolution included a requirement to attend a victim awareness course.”

Following the furore over Cllr McEvoy’s tweets, the national park authority confirmed she was being stood down from her board role with them. The organisation said it would review how outside appointments are made before she is replaced in July.

NPA chairman Gavin Parker told the A&T: “Our board members are appointed to the National Park Authority by a range of organisations, the majority by our local authorities.

“Alexis McEvoy, who is no longer on the NPA board, was appointed to our board as a Hampshire County Council representative.

“Officers have been reviewing our options, which will be presented to the standards committee for consideration before being taken to our next scheduled authority meeting in July for discussion and decision by our members.”

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust suspended Cllr McEvoy from her role as governor.

Chair of the trust, Jenni Douglas-Todd, condemned Cllr McEvoy’s tweet as “wholly inappropriate” and confirmed a replacement is still being sought on its board.

Ms Douglas-Todd said: “The trust suspended Alexis McEvoy after we were made aware of a wholly inappropriate comment she posted on social media.

“She has since permanently stood down from this position and a replacement will be announced in due course.

“The trust holds the values of inclusivity and belonging at its core. Where we see behaviour that goes entirely against these core beliefs, we will always act swiftly.”

Hampshire County Council said it will be taking no further action against Cllr McEvoy. A spokesperson said: “Following consideration of the complaints it was determined that the social media post was not made in Cllr McEvoy’s capacity as a member of the county council nor does it give the impression that Cllr McEvoy is representing the county council, and therefore the Code of Conduct does not apply. In accordance with the law, a council cannot take action outside the Code of Conduct for members in relation to a complaint about a member’s conduct.

“It is important to clarify that Hampshire County Council sets clear expectations on each employee of the authority to uphold its commitment and duty to ensure that all people in Hampshire enjoy being part of strong, inclusive communities, and that we continue to be an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. The county council takes a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination and abuse in any form, and we take our duties very seriously to eliminate any such conduct in all that we do to serve Hampshire’s residents.

“County councillors are not employees of the county council and the council, by law, cannot require them to do anything other than comply with the Code of Conduct for members.”

Jill Cleary, the leader of NFDC’s Conservative Group, which promised an investigation into former member Alexis McEvoy in March, has been approached for a comment by the A&T.

Cllr McEvoy has also been approached for comment.

*This article has been amended from an earlier version which said Cllr McEvoy was still a serving New Forest District Council member.