‘Sex party’ councillor wins Private Eye Rotten Borough award
David Potts
A CONTROVERSIAL councillor has been named Socialite of the Year by satirical magazine Private Eye for his part in a “sex party” rumpus.
Coun David Potts, who represents UKIP in Cleadon and East Boldon ward on South Tyneside Council, took the title in the publication’s end-of-year Rotten Boroughs Awards 2012.
The title recognises the former Tory’s apparent Twitter invitation earlier this year for his constituents to take part in a wives and swingers – W&S – party.
He also likened the gathering to a “bunga bunga” party – an Italian word to describe an orgy.
But Coun Potts later protested his innocence, claiming W&S merely stood for “wine and sandwiches”.
An illustration in the December to January edition of Private Eye shows a man in bra and suspenders, purporting to represent a semi-clad Coun Potts, carrying wine and sandwiches under the caption “Ukinky”.
Coun Potts says he could see the funny side of the piece and, tongue-in-cheek, described it as “my greatest political achievement”.
He added: “I suppose there is a sense of kudos that this London-based magazine has given me this title.
“I just find it unbelievable that my sex life is of any interest.”
The “honour” is the latest in a litany of controversies which have dogged the 30-year-old financial trader, who has been a representative on South Tyneside Council since 2004.
Last year saw him issued with a personal bankruptcy order at Sunderland County Court.
And a bid to be his party’s candidate for Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner came to nothing.
After admitting a booze problem, he came under fire for a verbal Twitter attack on South Shields MP David Miliband.
He was also in hot water last year after leaking personal council data to the press.
Meanwhile, he has faced criticism from political opponents for continuing to claim his members allowance while failing to attend council meetings.
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