A South London councillor who was slammed for suggesting an alleged rape victim was “likely” a prostitute has escaped punishment.

One councillor said the move sent a “terrible message” to women.

Bromley Council has decided not to sanction Councillor Shaun Slator, after receiving 18 complaints against the councillor for suggesting an alleged rape victim was “likely” a prostitute.

News Shopper: Headshot of Councillor Shaun Slator, as shown on the Bromley Council website Headshot of Councillor Shaun Slator, as shown on the Bromley Council website

Councillor Shaun Slator, Independent councillor for St Mary Cray ward in Bromley, replied to a tweet from the News Shopper on December 31 reporting an alleged rape in Plumstead park.

In his reply, which has since been deleted, Cllr Slator wrote: “More likely that it’s a punter that didn’t pay.”

Bromley Council has decided not to punish Cllr Slator for the tweet as a report seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service argues that he was not acting in his capacity as a councillor.

News Shopper: The since deleted tweetThe since deleted tweet (Image: The Mirror)

The matter was brought to Bromley Council for investigation after 18 complaints and requests from both Bromley Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

The report on the investigation into Cllr Slator hasn’t been published – but the Local Democracy Reporting Service has obtained a copy from a source.

In the document, an independent investigator said they felt Cllr Slator was not acting in his capacity as a councillor when he posted the tweet.

They said the matter would be better dealt with by his political party.

The investigator said they were “agonised” about their own conclusion.

Given the points made, the monitoring officer for the council decided there was no breach of the council’s code of conduct, meaning no further investigation would take place.

The report said: “It is appreciated that this view will perplex and disappoint some, if not all the complainants and other people.

"The finding in no way suggests that either the Monitoring Officer or the Independent Person endorse the behaviour of Councillor Slator. They do not.”

The complaints made to Bromley Council were summarised in the document, saying Cllr Slator’s comments were “derogatory, abusive and insulting”.

Reacting to the council’s decision, an anonymous source told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “There was cross party agreement that the comments made by Cllr Slator were disgusting and should be condemned.

"If the interpretation of the council’s Code of Conduct means he is not subject to any sanction then it’s time to relook at that code.

“Whether he was using his personal Twitter account or not, his position as councillor is made clear on his Twitter profile.

"Failure to act will reflect badly on the reputation of Bromley Council and send a terrible message to women who are victims of violence.”

The inspector said that Cllr Slator describing himself as a councillor on his Twitter profile did not mean he was acting in his capacity as a councillor.

They said: “Whatever our views of Councillor Slator’s tweet, he did make this disclaimer on his profile [that his views are personal] and made no specific reference to the Council on the News Shopper site.”

When approached by the Mirror about this tweet, Cllr Slator said: “I’m not promoting rape, am I?” He later added: “I don’t know that she is or she isn’t (a prostitute), do you?”

Cllr Slator serves as an Independent member of Bromley Council, after being suspended by the Conservative Party while the matter is investigated.

Cllr Slator was approached for comment, but did not respond by time of publication.