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.”
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 8:48 pm
