Councillor in 'racism' row issues an apology

A REFORM UK councillor has apologised for comments he made at a Shire Hall meeting last year that sparked a “racism” row.

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A complaint was lodged against Lydney councillor Mark Howard over his speech at a Gloucestershire County Council meeting in September.

His comments at the end of a debate on a motion, which called to ensure planning law was being followed in the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers, were met with strong protests from across the chamber.

Councillor Sajid Patel (Conservative, Barton and Tredworth) objected at the time and said he had “never heard so much ridiculous bloody racism’.