Sexist and homophobic slurs ruin rugby league international’s chances of glory

Former Bradford and Doncaster forward Ross Peltier will no longer be the Green Party’s candidate for the by-election in Batley and Spen due to homophobic and sexist slurs.

Peltier was only selected a week ago, but the Green Party has acted quickly to remove Peltier due to “highly offensive” slurs that were sent from the Jamaican international’s account between 2010 and 2013,

Mr Peltier, who lives with his partner and young children in Batley and Spen, denied being homophobic but has apologised.

He said, on Twitter: “A few tweets have come to light from around 10/9 years ago from when I was 19 years of age.

“The language used is not acceptable or appropriate in any way, shape or form. In no way am I homophobic.

“I am sorry if my old tweets have caused harm or upset to anyone.”

After Peltier was removed, however, he issued another statement.

It read: “I fully understand and respect the decision made.

“Firstly as I stated in my apology, the words used are terrible and not acceptable in any way, shape or form.

“My apology was taken as insincere because of how it was worded. I am truly sorry.

“I don’t have a campaign team or anyone advising me and that was me genuinely trying to admit wrongdoing and apologise.

“I have reached out to a number of organisations and want to better my education and give time to work with the LGBTQ+ community.

“I just hope in time I can prove to people I have evolved since the time of the tweets and I am trying to truly make amends for my past language.”