West Virginia official who called Michelle Obama ‘ape in heels’ returns to work

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The director of a non-profit organisation in West Virginia will return to work after being suspended for referring to Michelle Obama as an “ape”.

Pamela Ramsey Taylor, a director at Clay County Development Corporation, West Virginia, posted the comment on Facebook and was suspended from her role at the Development Corporation.

She is now set to return to her job later this month, according to a letter seen by Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Ms Taylor initially took to Facebook in support of Donald Trump’s victory in the US election.

“It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House,” she wrote at the time. “I’m tired of seeing an ape in heels.”

Beverly Whaling, the Mayor of Clay, was forced to resign after she apparently praised Taylor’s Facebook post.

“I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that I’m not in any way racist,” Ms Whaling said, according to The Sun.

The Clay County Development Corporation is a private nonprofit organization and the second-largest employer in the county.

Ms Taylor became a director at the organisation in 2007 and was paid $83,000 (£66,000) in 2014, according to tax returns from the group.