Reform UK councillor apologises for ‘racist’ speech
The incident took place at a council meeting in September
A Reform UK councillor has apologised for “racist” comments he made at a Shire Hall meeting last year.
A complaint was lodged against Lydney Councillor Mark Howard over his speech during a Gloucestershire County Council meeting in September.
His comments at the end of a debate on a motion, which called to ensure planning law was being followed in the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers, were met with strong protests from across the chamber.
Councillor Sajid Patel (Conservative, Barton and Tredworth) objected at the time and said he had “never heard so much ridiculous bloody racism”.
Cllr Howard has now acknowledged that his comments “caused a great deal of consternation and inadvertently, offence”.
And he has apologised and met Cllr Patel in person “so that he might appreciate the genuine sincerity” of his apology.
“While speaking, forcibly about an emotive issue, I made reference to a message received from a former colleague and also made a subsequent comment about Muslim women walking three paces behind their husbands,” Cllr Howard said in his written apology.
“Although this was not meant to cause offence, it clearly did which, on reflection, was overly robust and drew on unhelpful stereotypes so had the potential to convey unintended hostility, for which I apologise for any offence caused.
“In the cut and thrust of the political theatre, emotions can run high, particularly when discussing emotive matters where different political allegiances can often have, deeply held, opposing views.”
Cllr Howard also said in his apology that he has reflected and will moderate my speeches in the future.
“I am pleased to report that I have had the opportunity to speak with Sajid where I was able to apologise, in person, and explained to him that I wanted to apologise face to face so that he might appreciate the genuine sincerity in my apology, which is indeed, genuine.
“We shook hands and have agreed to meet, privately, over a coffee, so that we might understand one another better.
“To reiterate, I regret any offence caused and sincerely hope that this allows me to move on with serving the people of Gloucestershire.”
Conservative group leader Stephen Davies (Hardwicke and Severn), who lodged a standards complaint over the comments, said he was pleased with the outcome.
“I am pleased that this issue has been eventually resolved and that Cllr Howard acknowledges that his comments were out of order.”