Conservative defends 'kicked out' reference to former councillor dealing with mental health condition

Grant Roberts (Con, Arundel and Walberton) defended comments he made during a full council meeting on Wednesday (November 9).

They related to former Arundel and Walberton Green councillor Faye Catterson who was removed from office following a six month absence from meetings.

A Chichester and Arun Green Party spokesperson said this was due to a ‘difficult mental health condition’.

During a debate about reducing councillor numbers, Mr Roberts criticised the attendance records of several Lib Dems.

He then added: “The Greens they had a councillor kicked out very recently for non-attendance as well so we need councillors who are actually going to be committed, turn up, and effectively contribute, not just taking an allowance and popping in and out when needs be.”

His comments were criticised by members of several parties.

Ian Buckland (Ind., River) said it was ‘very sad’ that council debates are ‘made personal’.

Matt Stanley (LDem, Marine) and David Edwards (Con, Felpham East) called the comments ‘distasteful’.

Green councillor Isabel Thurston (Barnham) added: “I don’t think it’s fair to talk in terms of people being ‘kicked out’ when it’s absolutely common knowledge that is not the case.”

Sue Wallsgrove (Green, Barnham) said she was ’embarrassed’ to say she is a councillor and condemned the ‘bitterness and nastiness’ within the council chamber.

Andy Cooper (Con, Angmering and Findon) said there was ‘no statute of limitations’ on ‘bickering and finger-pointing’ which he said came from all sides.

Mr Roberts denied that his comments amounted to a ‘personal attack’.

“I named no one,” he said, “and I named no councillor individually.”

“That councillor has been named by others in [the council chamber], not me. I simply stated facts about things wanting to be efficient and effective and therefore people need to show up.

“I just said that a Green Party [member] was kicked out – maybe not the right phraseology but a Green Party member was removed from this council due to non-attendance and poor attendance. That was a fact.

“I didn’t name anyone individually so there is no personal attack on that councillor and I never mentioned her by name.”