Police probe fake Facebook post over Hooters green light in Salford

Police are investigating a fake Facebook post that suggests the decision to approve the Hooters licence at Salford Quays was to punish locals for voting in a Liberal Democrat councillor.

The message purports to be by senior Labour councillor Mike McCusker and uses offensive language. Coun McCusker categorically denies ever making such a post or holding such views.

A screenshot image of the post sent to the Manchester Evening News via the Local Democracy Reporting Service is shown to have been "liked" by colleagues Sharmina August and Jake Rowland.

READ MORE:Hooters gets the go-ahead to open restaurant in Salford Quays despite massive backlash

It said: "The yuppies who voted Lib Dem can enjoy their new t**** bar. Let that be a warning to them not to vote for Lewis Croden."

Coun August and Coun Rowland also deny ever seeing such or reacting in that way to such a post. Conservative candidate Lewis Croden declined to comment.

Following the offensive text, it shows City Mayor Paul Dennett posting "Delete!". Mr Dennett also flatly denies ever making such a post.

The licence for Hooters on Salford Quays - where women in revealing tops serve customers - was controversially approved on Monday after a licensing panel hearing in the face of 91 objections.

Today, the commander of the City of Salford Police, Chief Superintendent Shaun Donnellan, said: "Greater Manchester Police have been alerted in relation to a document which purports to be from a social media account and contains a political message.

"Our experts have examined it in detail and I am satisfied it is totally fake and has never been posted on social media.

"My officers are making urgent enquiries to establish the identity of the offender(s) and any criminal offences