Chief executive shrugs off critics of ‘shoot the people who are moving road closure signs’ tweet

A council chief executive who quipped that he requested Gwent Police to shoot people moving road closure signs has shrugged off critics who called it ‘foolish.’

Monmouthshire council’s top boss, Paul Matthews, took to Twitter to voice his anger at people moving road closure signs on Pentre Lane to the Sugar Loaf mountain near Abergavenny on Sunday.

He tweeted: “Thanks @GPMonmouthshire – I did request that my colleagues in @gwentpolice shoot the people who are moving road closure signs but I accept that a very big fine is a more appropriate option.”

The message has been ‘liked’ by 105 people but some also took exception.

One said: “Not sure about this sort of tweet.

“Let’s not lower ourselves to sensationalist comments to make points. Not a path we want to go down unless you want to be compared to Trump or Cummings.”

Another said: “Foolish tweet, not what we need right now.”

But several people support Mr Matthews’ message.

“I think your first choice was the right one,” one person wrote.

“I could do with a little practice and happy to help @gwentpolice.”

The tweet came after Mr Matthews had warned against people using the road, saying there was “carnage all day yesterday” on the lane to a car park, including “anger / fights.”

Mr Matthews said: “Monmouthshire County Council is absolutely focussed on saving lives.

“Our social media presence plays a very important part in this.

“My role in talking to citizens is a crucial part of this and I understand that my tweets had in excess of 300,000 views over the weekend.

“I think the public know we are on their side here and we are running a 24/7 operation.

“We are not broadcasting, we are engaging.

“Serious messaging and humour both have a place and I can live with the occasional person in London not agreeing with my choice of language.”