Reform Councillor’s Wife Defends His ‘Swastika’ Tattoo And Says It’s ‘Misunderstood’
A Reform councillor’s wife has insisted that her husband’s ‘swastika’ tattoo is actually a Buddhist peace symbol that people have misunderstood.
Andy Arnold, who was newly elected at Barnsley, South Yorkshire earlier this month, is not a practicising Buddhist from north India, but rather, a Reform councillor from the north of England, so you can excuse people for assuming his ideology.
The tattoo appears on his forearm in photos posted on wife Theresa’s Facebook account in 1998. However, in more recent photos, it seems to have been covered up by a larger tattoo.
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Theresa Arnold, also elected to Barnsley council this month, said: ‘The only context I can provide is that, in his late teens, my husband briefly explored Buddhism and had a symbol tattooed on his arm during that period.
‘He has never been involved with, supported, or held views associated with Nazism or any extremist ideology.
‘The tattoo was later covered because the symbol was frequently misunderstood and people incorrectly associated it with something entirely different from its original religious context.
‘Unfortunately, the meaning was often misinterpreted without understanding the background behind it.
‘There is no wider story here beyond a youthful decision connected to a short-lived interest in Buddhism.’
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Well, I suppose it’s possible she’s telling the truth. Still, it’s not a great look given how many newly elected Reform councillors have been either suspended or stepped down this month after their racist social media activity did the rounds (or side gig as a gay porn star, in one case).
The swastika was a religious emblem in Buddhism long before Hitler co-opted it as a symbol for Nazism. In Sanskrit, the swastika means ‘well-being’, which is what Theresa insists her husband had in mind when he got the inking done.
I guess we’re going to have to take her word for it…
For a look at the new job opening for a Vetting Officer at Reform, click HERE. Probably a good idea.
