Reform councillor breached code with sexist comments

A Reform UK councillor "is likely to have" breached a council's code of conduct after saying "some women should have never left the kitchen".

Peter York, vice chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, was alleged to have made the comments during an International Women's Day event in March.

Following a complaint, the council's initial assessment was the "likely" breach could be "adequately dealt with by remedial action".

The council declined to comment further, citing confidentiality. York, who apologised shortly after the event, has been approached for comment.

The initial assessment of the complaint was carried out by the council's monitoring officer, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It said: "The deputy monitoring officer has considered this complaint at the pre-assessment stage and finds that there is likely to have been a breach of the code of conduct and that it can be adequately dealt with by remedial action.

"The deputy monitoring officer will contact the subject member to arrange civility and respect training as well as to offer words of advice regarding respectful communication."

The officer was also "mindful of the fact that an apology has been issued" by York, the assessment added.

The formal standards complaint was submitted by the Northants Women's Empowerment Group, which described the comments as "abhorrent".

Its chief executive, Hannah Martin, welcomed the decision to arrange training for York, but added that the group's primary concern was that he was due to become council chairman at the next annual council meeting in May.

"We believe his elevation to this prestigious civic role would send a deeply damaging message to the community," she said, adding: "It is a matter of significant alarm for women across this county."

York's previous statement said: "I'd like to apologise for any offence taken to a comment made at the weekend, that was taken entirely out of context, whilst being provoked by a member of the public, and a councillor from the Liberal Democrat group."

The interim chief executive, Martin Henry, also apologised at the time, saying that the remark did not reflect the values of the council and the council was "fully committed to equality, dignity and respect for all".

Mark Arnull, Reform UK council leader, has been approached for comment on whether York should take up the chairman position.

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