Hudson stripped of cabinet role amid Mummery deepfake row

Why it matters: Hudson, formerly leader of the council's Reform UK group, has been relieved of his duties as cabinet member for highways, passenger transport and transport strategy with immediate effect, council leader Michael Hadwen announced. Councillor Patti Mulcahy, previously deputy cabinet member, has been appointed to succeed him.

What the leader said: Hadwen said: "It is with regret that I announce that Councillor Christopher Hudson has been relieved of his duties as cabinet member for highways and transport with immediate effect."

• "I would like to thank Councillor Hudson for his hard work, dedication and service during his tenure as a cabinet member. His efforts on behalf of Suffolk residents are appreciated."
• "Councillor Patti Mulcahy has been appointed to succeed the role of cabinet member for highways and transport. Patti has been working incredibly hard as a deputy cabinet member, so I'm looking forward to welcoming her into the cabinet team and continuing our work to put Suffolk communities first."

The details: The move follows a post Hudson shared on X depicting fellow cabinet member Cllr June Mummery, the councillor for Carlton Colville in Lowestoft, with enlarged breasts in a low-cut top, alongside text referencing the council's approach to cuts to the school nursing service.

• The cuts are part of a series of proposed reductions to the Healthy Child Service, due for decision at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, following a public consultation.
• Green councillors at the council, who form the official opposition group, have described it as an AI-generated image, with deputy leader Annette Dunning branding it a "non-consensual and sexualised AI deepfake."
• The image was deleted quickly, but screenshots continue to circulate on X, alongside a number of other sexual comments attributed to Hudson's account on photos posted by young women.

What the opposition said: Annette Dunning, Green group deputy leader and spokesperson for Communities, Diversity and Equalities, said: "The act of sharing non-consensual and sexualised AI deepfakes is a severe violation of digital safety."

• "June Mummery, the councillor for Carlton Colville in Lowestoft, must be appalled by the image posted by her colleague and fellow Cabinet member."
• "This total disrespect towards a fellow councillor brings Suffolk County Council into disrepute and it reflects badly on us a professional organisation and as an employer. What message is this sending to women in public life, council employees and of course, all our female residents?"
• "We believe Cllr Hudson is unsuitable to sit on the Cabinet at Suffolk County Council and call on him to resign from his post."

The other side: Hudson said he was "shocked, surprised and disappointed" that he was removed from his Cabinet post, saying that "further investigations are needed".

He told Ipswich.co.uk the image was "a cartoon" he had "made and sent to June" to "to emphasise the excellent work Councillor Mummery had achieved in securing 62 nurses". He said it was "regrettable" that it had offended people, apologised, and said he had taken it down. He insisted he posted it in good faith, and stressed that Cllr Mummery wasn't offended, but accepted it was a mistake.

He strenuously denied responsibility for the sexual comments circulating under his account, telling Ipswich.co.uk that his "phone had been hacked," and described himself as "a respectable, happily married man". He added: "I may be far right, but I'm very liberal," and suggested the account "may have been hacked by someone who is out to cause me problems as a politician."

The bottom line: Hudson has lost his cabinet post following the row, though he has not resigned as a councillor. He disputes responsibility for the sexual comments circulating under his account, while the Green opposition is calling for him to go further and resign altogether.

More to follow as it comes.

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