A COUNCILLOR has apologised for a tweet which showed a graphic picture of a man punching his partner.

Cllr Oliver Kersh, Conservative representative for the Pilkington Park ward, was criticised at last week’s council meeting for the tweet, which he sent to his partner in September 2012.

The image shows the woman saying “Babe, do not buy Fifa 13. We need to spent more time together!” and the man then punching her in the face.

The matter was raised during a debate over a motion from the Conservative group at the town hall meeting, calling for the council to apply for a share of a fund which support domestic abuse victims.

Cllr Kersh, who was elected this year, said: “Last week a tweet I sent to my partner as an 18-year-old microbiology student and before my time in public office was brought to my attention by the Labour group.

“I apologise to those who may be offended by the post in question. My responsibility as a councillor is dedicating my time to tackling these very issues.

“The motion I supported on Wednesday was unambiguous. Myself and the Bury Conservatives called upon the council to bid for a share of a £40 million government grant to support victims of domestic violence in our borough.

“I hope we can draw a line under the issue at hand and I look forward to working with council colleagues from all political parties in addressing pressing matters across Bury and Greater Manchester and improving residents’ lives.

“I understand that the council has decided it is a non-issue and that no complaint has been upheld.”

Labour’s Cllr Sandra Walmsley said after the meeting: “Bearing in mind when it happened, I think an apology would be reasonable in the circumstances.

“The tweet itself is graphically violent and shocking and another issue about it is the casual manner in which it has been sent.

“The nature of the tweet makes it seem like it is almost acceptable to put something like this into a public forum, like it is a joke. That kind of casual view towards domestic violence is really inappropriate. It may have preceded his time as an elected councillor but we all have a responsibility at the time we stand for election to make sure we are upholding the standards we would expect.

“We are all responsible for our own behaviour and I was overcome with anger at the council meeting because of the hypocrisy being displayed.”