Charlie Kirk ‘burn in hell’ post by Manx politician probed by police

An Isle of Man politician is under police investigation over saying assassinated USA right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk should “burn in hell”, island leaders have been told.

Ramsey commissioner Elizabeth Shimmin made the comment in response to a Facebook post paying tribute to the 31-year-old, who was shot dead while debating with students at a university in Utah on 10 September.

When the issue was raised at a meeting of Ramsey commissioners on Tuesday, vice-chair Sandra Cottam-Shea said the investigation “takes precedence and prevents any further public discussion at this time”, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

The Isle of Man Constabulary has been contacted for a comment.

Cottam-Shea added that the local authority has “no mechanism” to remove Shimmin from the board’s September meeting, which took place on Wednesday night, and it was “purely a matter for herself to reconcile”.

Shimmin was elected to the Ramsey commission – one of 21 local authorities on the island – in April.

Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, as he sat on a podium debating gun crime with campus students.

He was shot with a rifle from the roof of a university building, and died soon afterwards.

A major manhunt was launched and 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The killing has sparked fierce debate about political violence and free speech.

Last week, a councillor in Burnley in Lancashire resigned after posting “good riddance” in response to Kirk’s murder.

Independent Fiona Wilde posted Kirk had “made himself a target” and “brought this on himself”.