By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There are calls for an opposition Gloucester City Councillor to be expelled from his group for sharing “racist and inflammatory” social media posts “targeting asylum seekers”.
Community Independent Brendon O’Donnell has shared a post on Facebook promoting a demonstration in the city outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
The Matson, Robinswood and White City councillor has also used social media to share “hateful and divisive” rhetoric on his own account and also into local community group pages, according to the Lib Dems.
They say he has previously shared a “disgusting” post about an “asylum seeker” eating grass on the side of a road, also posted myths that “immigrants” get preferential treatment for housing over people with local connections, and shared a video calling for immigrants to be deported.
These posts have been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“This is disgraceful behaviour from an elected councillor,” a Gloucester Liberal Democrat spokesman said.
“Sharing inflammatory material that targets asylum seekers is unacceptable and has no place in Gloucester politics.
“Once might be an accident, twice suggests a mindset but carrying on like this is simply racist.
“If Councillor [Alastair] Chambers has any integrity, he will expel Councillor O’Donnell immediately.
“Anything less is an endorsement of racism and division.
“Gloucester deserves leaders who bring people together, not councillors who fan the flames of hate.”
Cllr O’Donnell says his stance has never been rooted in racism and it concerns the government priorities regarding housing and resources.
He also hopes for a peaceful protest where everyone can express their views respectfully.
“I do not blame immigrants for our local housing crisis,” he said.
“I hold the local council responsible for consistently voting down planning applications that could genuinely benefit our communities.
“They often reject proposals that would help alleviate housing shortages simply because they don’t want these developments in their own neighborhoods.”
He said it was disheartening to see such “scandalous” statements made about him just as the Liberal Democrats’ leader at North Warehouse faces a vote of no confidence over his handling of Labour Party motion on local government reorganisation.
Cllr O’Donnell also said it feels like a personal attack as he is also awaiting a disciplinary hearing over accusations of consuming alcohol during a meeting.
“It was merely raspberry lemonade, a fact I presented evidence for on that night,” he said.
“I believe this ongoing scrutiny reflects that the council does not appreciate my candidness and commitment to representing our community’s concerns.
“Protest is an essential part of democracy, and just as people can peacefully stand against the government regarding the Palestinian conflict, we can also voice concerns over the housing crisis in our country.
“While families find themselves homeless, hotels are often filled with migrants. This issue transcends race; it’s about addressing the prioritisation of resources for all residents of our community.
“Asylum seekers’ rights should be acknowledged, but it is equally critical to engage in honest conversations about our domestic challenges. We need to strike a balance that ensures compassion for vulnerable individuals while advocating for the needs of our local population.
“I invite constructive dialogue around this complex issue, rather than labeling it solely as racism. Together, we can strive for solutions that honor humanitarian principles without neglecting the needs of our local community.”
His group leader Alastair Chambers (CI, Matson, Robinswood and White City) said he did not see anything wrong with his colleague sharing a post about a national protest and is planning to attend.
He stands by Cllr O’Donnell and says they have both worked to improve the plight of Gloucester’s less fortunate.
“Brendon and I have also consistently campaigned for our city’s rough sleepers and homeless—many of them ex-British veterans—who are left on the streets without shelter,” he said.
“Yet at the same time, asylum seekers are placed in hotels. To us as Independents, this highlights deeply misplaced priorities, where those who have served our country are overlooked.
“I stand by Brendon, especially as he clearly called for the protest to remain peaceful.
“I am likely to attend myself—not to cause disruption, but to speak directly with people, to listen to why they are protesting, how they feel, and what they hope to achieve.
“Silencing debate and ignoring people’s concerns only fuels resentment, which risks making situations worse.”