Conservatives walk out of Peterborough council meeting after vote to silence leader for ‘derogatory’ comment

Much of Peterborough City Council’s (PCC) Conservative group left a meeting partway through after other parties voted to silence its leader.

Cllr Shabina Qayyum (Labour, East) asked that the council chamber no longer hear from Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald (Conservatives, West) after he made a personal comment towards her.

This was supported by the majority of councillors, cutting off Cllr Fitzgerald’s right to speak for the remainder of the meeting.

It was the final “full council” before May’s local elections; these are meetings held in the Town Hall which all 60 councillors are invited to attend.

The issue arose during discussion of an independent report on the council’s governance and finances.

Cllr Fitzgerald said he disagreed with the report that the council was working together collaboratively, saying there was a “rift” between the Conservatives and Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Greens.

Cllr Qayyum interrupted him – something which is a normal part of full council meetings – to raise a point of accuracy, saying there was no rift between Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Greens.

'She just loves the limelight'

Cllr Fitzgerald clarified he meant there was a rift between the Conservatives and the other groups – not that they had their own rifts – before adding that she “constantly interrupts – it’s a trait with her; she just loves the limelight”.

Cllr Qayyum said the Conservative leader's manner and conduct was “incredibly derogatory” before bringing a motion that he no longer be heard.

This is a rare but not unprecedented move, which is permitted by the council’s rules and regulations.

Chair Cllr Nick Sandford (Liberal Democrats, Paston and Walton) tried to avoid the issue escalating by asking for an apology from Cllr Fitzgerald, who responded that “if she’s offended I’m happy to apologise, but it doesn’t mean I can’t think it”.

'Very unwilling apology'

Cllr Qayyum then pressed ahead with her motion after this “very unwilling apology”.

Council leader Cllr Mohammed Farooq (Peterborough First, Hargate and Hempsted) asked Cllr Qayyum to “just forgive on this occasion” so the meeting could continue, but the majority of councillors present (33) voted in favour of revoking Cllr Fitzgerald’s right to be heard. There were two abstentions and 22 votes against.

Cllr Fitzgerald then said his comment had been “proven to be true” and that he wouldn’t withdraw it.