Perth Voice Interactive

JAMES LIMNIOS has deleted his Facebook post referring to professional beggars.

Cr James Limnios says he’s been “sworn at and abused” online by people demanding he provide evidence for his claims.

He’d posted “in most cases it’s a scam with some known ‘beggars’ making $400 per day.  Most of us have feelings and feel compelled to pass on a $1 or $2, DON’T!

“Your (sic) better off supporting qualified charities who do a magnificent job supporting very genuine cases.”

He also linked to an overseas article claiming that beggars would drug babies so they’d be easier to handle.

After several people asked for evidence of “professional beggars” Cr Limnios removed the post and blocked several people from his Facebook page.

They continued to query him on Twitter, with Alex Vakarian asking: “You don’t think that being involved in politics might mean having to defend or explain your positions?”

Cr Limnios said, “it’s inappropriate to be sworn at and abused so I chose not to be part of it”.

He told the Voice “this is a matter that the city is looking into further in response to many stakeholder concerns. We are currently working with relevant authorities through our CEO and lord mayor and as a result I took down a post”.