A councillor is facing calls to stand down over a drunken TikTok video in which he claimed to become a 'weapon' after downing seven jagerbombs on a night out.
Cllr James Barber was accused of 'boasting about binge drinking' after posting a video of him running down a street with a chair strapped to his back on the social media app.
The 21-year-old was elected on to Cheshire East Council as an 18-year-old in 2019 and was given a role of representing young people's interests, Cheshire Live reports.
READ MORE: Carnage at Manchester Airport as travellers miss flights
But his posts on Twitter and TikTok, which document his drunken nights out, have been criticised by some.
One video, which has since been removed, shows the councillor running down a street with an office-style chair strapped to his back.
It's captioned: "Apparently 7 jaegerbombs (sic) in 30 mins turns me into a weapon."
Another entry on social media sees Coun Barber Tweet of how he 'stumbled' home in the snow 'incredibly drunk' talking like children’s TV character Pingu the penguin.
He adds that he had no recollection of this until he saw a video of it.
Teenager Jamie Gordon, from Macclesfield, says he follows Cllr Barber’s social media and has been left unimpressed.
"As an 18-year-old I follow with some concern the behaviour of Cheshire East Council’s champion for young people," he said.
"This boast (about Jaegerbombs) is accompanied by a video of him running through the streets past and close to parked vehicles with a chair strapped to his back.
"On behalf of a number of friends I say this doesn’t represent how the vast majority of young people act nor want to be represented and certainly not championed. I’d like him to stand down or be replaced."
Cllr Barber said that since being elected he had been patronised and 'witnessed first hand the discrimination young people face in the professional environment.'
Responding to critics this week, he said: "After long weeks of working on a Covid-19 testing and infection control team at work, along with being a 21-year-old at university and being a councillor, I go out for drinks with my friends.
"However, I acknowledge that, through posting videos on social media of me on a night out I have upset and offended some. For that, I unreservedly apologise.
"I don’t encourage binge-drinking, and do not binge-drink myself, so I’m unsure as to where that came from. Furthermore, I have not broken any rules or laws.
"However, this story raises in itself serious questions around the way in which young people are treated. When government ministers were videoed drunk dancing in nightclubs, or drunkenly singing karaoke, they were praised for 'showing a human side.'
"Whereas when it is a young person, it’s seen as 'binge-drinking'. Is it any wonder so few young people wish to put themselves forward for election?
"As a result of all of this, I will be more mindful of what I post on social media. In the meantime, I will continue standing up for my residents and young people, as this is my passion."
Simon Brownbill, another to see the posts, said: "I think it’s a disgrace, he is also Cheshire East’s young people’s champion boasting about binge drinking."
In his role Cllr Barber has helped residents campaigning again homes being built on green belt land in Broken Cross as well as supporting local causes such as helping with foodbank collections and the SHOUT campaign to tackle sexual violence.
After being approached for comment, Coun Barber also passed to the Macclesfield Express, messages of support from social media.
Lee Glover said: "Sorry James that you have been put in this position, you have always tried your best and your no different from many other in enjoying your free time .
"Your a brilliant councillor. (sic)"
Tom Shaw said: "This is a disgrace. Your (sic) young and you are enjoying life. Yes be mindful of what you post on SM but don’t stop living your life. From what I’ve seen you are passionate about Macclesfield."
