Politician has the best response to his Grindr photos being leaked

A UK politician has received praise for his reaction after his Grindr profile appeared all over X and Facebook.

Paul O’Neill is a Labour councilor in Rochdale in the north of England. He serves the North Heywood ward. Labour is the UK’s major left-wing party, and its leader, Andy Burnham, became the current Prime Minister in July.

According to the Manchester Evening News, someone posted screenshots of O’Neill’s Grindr profile to Facebook. They claimed they “nosied on grinder coz I’m curious what it’s all about”.

How about we take this to the next level?

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O’Neill’s profile includes a photo of him wearing a leather harness and showing off a bear paw tattoo. Another shows him in a leather shirt. The person who posted them to Facebook said they found the profile a “bit disturbing.”

In his bio, O’Neill described himself as “Gay/bi curious … bear cub … Into politics, football, running, swimming, theatre/creative arts. And beer. NO Reform voters, anti-trans bigots, thanks.”

Reform is a far-right party that has gained ground in the UK in recent years.

Far-right accounts quickly picked up the screenshots and spread them across X.

“I am not remotely ashamed to have a social and dating life”

O’Neill responded with a post on Facebook yesterday.

“It’s been brought to my attention that two people have decided to visit a gay men’s dating app I’m a member of, create an account for themselves, and then find my profile, screen shot it, and share it on social media, complete with some rather unpleasant comments.

“The reasons why those people decided to create gay dating accounts for themselves were ‘curiosity’ and ‘verifying’ that I had a profile, apparently.

“I’ll leave it for readers to make their own minds up about THAT bit.

“I’m glad that my photos were recent, as I’ve lost 3 stone since February. I’m only sorry these two characters couldn’t wait a few more weeks before invading my privacy, as I’ve just started going back to the gym, and I might have looked even more fabulous than I already did at the Manchester Pride 2026 event most of the photos are from.

“Joking aside, there are more revealing photos of many straight men and women at the beach or at the gym all over social media, I am not remotely ashamed to have a social and dating life, and it obviously affects not a jot my work as a proud ward councillor for the brilliant people of North Heywood.

“If you think I’m rubbish at being a councillor, that’s fine. But it isn’t because, like millions of other people, straight, gay and everything else, I have a profile on a dating app. And for the record, I’m single. Worst thing that can happen is I might get a date or two out of this, right?

He ended by promoting the date of his next ward surgery (when members of the public can meet with their councilmember), quipping, “I’ll be dressed more conservatively, promise. ”

“Best of British to you”

Many praised O’Neill’s response.

“I don’t know why this is in my feed, I don’t know where Heywood is, or who you are but well said. If you’re upsetting the sort of people who still think ‘outing’ someone for having a profile on a gay dating site is a huge ‘gotcha’, then the chances are you’re probably a decent enough chap. Top day to you sir,” said one woman.

Another woman said, “This just came up on my feed and though I’m not a Heywood resident I met Paul in a Rochdale bar in June. He chatted to me about my watch then checked was it ok chatting to me – such a polite thing to do. He told me he was a local councillor so I know this is the same pleasant guy and I’m appalled at what’s been done by people who need to get a life.”

One man replied, “Great response and best of British to you. Keep outing the bigots and keep representing your community. I am a straight married Christian white male. I spent 4 years as a local Cllr. It scares me to see how people who aren’t like me are being targeted by bigots. Nothing but respect for you and other people who stand up and speak out, stay safe and hope you at least score a decent date out of this.”

O’Neill followed it up today with a joke meme about finding “Fame at last, eh?”

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