Councillor in thump 'threat' during heated Coventry council meeting

[dutchman]

Senior Labour councillor apologises after flare up which came as the pair debated the possibility of grammar schools in the city



Tempers flared during a meeting of Coventry City Council as a senior Labour member implied he would thump a fellow councillor.

The shocking exchange (which can be viewed in the video above) came as independent councillor Glenn Williams questioned the council’s cabinet member for education, Coun Kevin Maton, over his stance that grammar schools should not be allowed in Coventry.

Coun Glenn Williams asked: “The cabinet member has publicly ruled out grammar schools coming back to Coventry, he much prefers left wing social engineering.

“I would like to ask the cabinet member why he has chosen not to consult with our residents, with teachers and with parents before making that decision.”

That prompted an angry response from Coun Maton who said: “We’re in cold shower time before I get up and thump him I think.

“The reality is that statement was made after consulting with all of our secondary head teachers.

“I find it really annoying that you assume I don’t go out and speak to head teachers, because that’s exactly what I did before that statement was made.”

Coun Williams replied: “Well who is the nasty party? I've just been verbally threatened there.”

Later in Tuesday night’s meeting Coun Maton took the opportunity to withdraw his comments.

He said: “I would wholeheartedly withdraw any comments that would assume I might like to cause physical violence to Coun Williams.

“I absolutely don’t want to and I would apologise for implying that I did.”

Coun Williams then indicated that he accepted the apology.

The thumping remark came during Local Democracy Week and in front of an unusually busy public gallery packed with university students there to learn about local government processes.

It wasn’t the only heated exchange in the chamber as another came after the meeting had officially been called to a close. Senior Labour councillor Jayne Innes approached Tory councillor Marcus Lapsa to issue a furious verbal dressing down over language he had used during the meeting.

That prompted Tory colleague Coun Tim Mayer to take to Twitter and brand the conduct of Coun Innes as “out of order”.

He said: “Heated and bang out of order from the opposite side. I hope an apology is issued.”

[Melisandre]

Its good to know what kind of role models our children have who run this city and threaten violence do as I say not as I do comes to mind.

[rebbonk]

Having watched Maton over the years I'm not surprised.

[Melisandre]

He is in the wrong job then.

I wonder if he is one of the bare knuckle fighters coming up in Coventry.

He must of been the school ground bully .

[rebbonk]

His antics on the Telegraph hosted WMCA debate showed him up for what he is. Sadly, we have a bully in a position of power. - Rarely a good idea.

[Melisandre]

Sadly, we have a bully in a position of power. - Rarely a good idea.

So there fore he is a control freak IMO which shows lack of knowledge and does not do his home work or not educated enough when others get the better of him who are better educated.
I agree it is not good when some one in his position has to resort to violent threats which I class as verbal abuse when things are said or things are not going his way.