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Ashford MP Damian Green hits back at constituent who labels fellow townsfolk as 'stinking' in underclass row

10:30, 12 January 2016

An outraged mum has branded her fellow townsfolk a “dirty, stinking, malodorous underclass” in an email sent to a leading councillor, an MP, and the Prime Minister David Cameron.

The email, which was sent by a constituent in Ashford who did not wish to be named, claimed to represent “families in despair” from the Singleton, Washford Farm and Great Chart areas.

In it, the mystery moaner decried the levels of personal hygiene and cleanliness of townspeople, and demanded that Cllr Neil Shorter and MP Damian Green take action.

A street view of Dickensian London. Pic from Wiki Commons
A street view of Dickensian London. Pic from Wiki Commons

She asked the pair: “Realistically, what are you doing to remove from Ashford the unwashed, malodorous underclass with their tattoos and yellow teeth?

“What is being done to make this area bearable for the families, like my own, who work, who study, who understand hygiene, and who do not want to share their town with dirty, stinking people?”

She went on to say that it is now “impossible” to visit the town centre without encountering the great unwashed, and claimed: “They belong in 19th century London.”

Does everyone in Ashford have yellow teeth? Image from Wiki Commons
Does everyone in Ashford have yellow teeth? Image from Wiki Commons

She added: “There is a serious amount of money in this area, and unless there is at least a visible, gradual gentrification of Ashford, all of your educated, CLEAN constituents will be moving elsewhere.”

She warned there could be a potential “brain drain” and ended by demanding that Neil Shorter and Damian Green “do your job, PLEASE”.

The reason as to why she sent the email is not yet know, nor is it clear what specific action she expects those addressed to take.

In a further email to KentOnline's sister paper the Kentish Express, she added: “I recently visited small towns on the outskirts of Glasgow and York.

Bank Street in Ashford
Bank Street in Ashford

"It was incredible, absolutely amazing, to see absolutely everyone walking around in spotlessly clean clothes. There is a sense of pride, of self-respect in most areas.”

Ashford MP Damian Green has given the constituent short shrift in a response to the email and has hit back at the claims made.

He said: “I simply do not recognise your description as a fair one of Ashford or its people.

Ashford MP Damian Green
Ashford MP Damian Green

"The vast majority of Ashford residents are hard-working respectable people doing the best for their families in a prosperous and expanding town.”

What do you think? Comment below, email your views to kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk or join the debate on the Kentish Express Facebook and Twitter pages.

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