Overview

• Seve Gomez-Aspron, recently sworn in as mayor of St Helens, is under fire after a 2009 photo of him dressed as Adolf Hitler resurfaced online.
• The photo, taken at a charity event, was previously investigated in 2019 by the council, but no formal action was taken at the time.
• A petition demanding his removal has gathered over 1,000 signatures, and 11 councillors reportedly walked out during his swearing-in ceremony earlier this month.
• Gomez-Aspron has apologized for the costume, calling it a 'clumsy' decision made in his early twenties and emphasizing that he has matured since then.
• The controversy adds to a history of complaints about his conduct, including social media remarks and a past Police Information Notice for harassment claims.