A COUNCILLOR has apologised “unreservedly” after sharing a “Bring back the Golliwogs” post on Facebook.

Cllr Lynn Sterry (Lab, Cinderford West) was responsible for policing councillor behaviour as chair of the Forest of Dean District Council’s Standards Committee, but resigned her post last week in the wake of the social media storm.

The wife of Cinderford mayor Roger Sterry has also stepped down as chair of the town council.

In a statement, she said: “I apologise unreservedly, and from my heart, for any hurt that my sharing of the Facebook post may have caused.

“I never intended to offend or support racism. I have resigned as chair of the Standards Committee of the Forest of Dean District Council and chair of Cinderford Town Council in recognition of my mistake.

“I want to make it clear that I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their colour. 

“Our country is not yet free of racism or sexism or other ways of thinking which do not treat people as human beings. The climate and times have, thankfully, changed a deal since I was young.

“While we are shaped by our past, we are never too old to learn. I accept that I need to be more thoughtful about my actions, the words I use and the message they send. I will learn to do better.

“It is not enough to say sorry, I will work hard to make sure that all human beings are respected regardless of colour and make it clear that racism has no place here.”

The Golliwogs were characters in Enid Blyton’s Noddy books published between 1949 and 1963. They were also the Robertson’s Jam mascot and were produced as cuddly toys, but the black-faced dolls have since provoked allegations of racism, and were left out of a 60th anniversary story written by Blyton’s granddaughter in 2009.

Cllr Sterry stirred controversy last week by sharing a Facebook meme calling for the return of the doll.

A spokeswoman for the Forest council said: “The monitoring officer has spoken to Cllr Lynn Sterry and as a result we can confirm that Cllr Sterry has resigned.”

The council was “dismayed” at the comments made by the Labour councillor which “in no way represents the views of the authority.”

Although no formal complaints have been made about the Golliwog post, the monitoring officer is reportedly investigating other claims against Cllr Sterry.

Cllr Andrew Gardiner (Ind, Lydbrook and Ruardean) says he has lodged a complaint over alleged social media comments regarding his attendance at the Suffragette commemoration march in Coleford on February 6.