Complaint made over Tory councillor's comments

Cllr Karen Chilvers has made a formal complaint to the council following inappropriate comments made by a Conservative councillor last week.

Tory Cllr Keith Parker (Brizes & Doddinghurst) made the comments, ironically during a debate on Diversity referring to domestic violence victims as "The Scream Team" and homosexuals as "The Queen Team".

The council's code of conduct states that councillors should have respect for others and promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any person, and by treating people with respect, regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability and should not "do anything which may cause your authority to breach any of the equality enactments".

Cllr Chilvers said:

"I am not alone in believing that these comments are offensive to anyone who has suffered domestic violence or is homosexual and, as such, offends some of our residents.

"Unfortunately, such comments reflect on the council and councillors and I feel I have to make a stand against such behaviour. This sort of attitude should have no place in today's society.

"It is also unfortunate that officers and some members have worked hard on equality, inclusion and diversity issues and, as such, this could devalue or derail the work that has been done."

The complaint is now subject to the council's complaints procedure and will be considered in due course.