Is that really in the article? Where are editors these days...? PEER is the word that should have been used instead of PIER, and the whole sentence is then incorrect and not a joke.
"PEER is the word that should have been used instead of PIER"
Eh?
It was in The Sun's editorial commentary to the article; the URL to that commentary is provided above the graphic "The Sun Says".
I think that the Sun's editors, legendary for creative wordplay, were engaging in double entendre. The reference to "pier" in this case may be a reference to the phrase "take a long walk on a short pier", which suggests not only that he should go jump in the ocean but also by saying "he has no pier" that he has no substance, perhaps referring to an architectural pier, used to support a building.
I am thinking that the word "peer" as in an equal - stature person, was not part of this particular wordplay but it's of course also completely true, in that no true doctor or public servant worthy of the title would ever consider saying such a thing so utterly reprehensible.
This is just my guess of course. One of the reasons why I sometimes read and post The Sun is because of their creative use of language, oftentimes including British slang and witticisms that are an interesting change for this American's news intake.
It was done on purpose to make that final comment.
Whoops! My error! In re-reading the sentence that you referred to , I realized that they are referring to the TOWN, not the Dr. /Deputy Mayor.
Swindon is the town, Lister is the 'man'.
So, the Sun's sentence is far simpler than I had thought. All they are saying is that Lister should jump off a pier, but hecause Swindon doesn't have one, he can't.
Very simple, and this is what happens when I don't read things carefully :-)
"banging furry stoat head on table"