County Council defends free speech in ‘gender-neutral language’ row

A Wiltshire Councillor who branded plans to adopt gender-neutral titles as a ‘waste of money’ and “utterly crackers” has been cleared of wrongdoing.

Aitch King, a Calne Town Councillor who claims to be non-binary, had called for the town’s civic honours policy to embrace ‘inclusive’ terms such as “Person of Distinction” or “Honorary Citizen” alongside those of Honorary Freeman and Honorary Freewoman.

When fellow Council member Bobby Seymour accused some colleagues of pursuing a “bizarre obsession that human beings can be anything other than male or female”, he was reported to officials for being “transphobic, derogatory and dismissive”.

‘Robust disagreement’

King alleged that the comments “caused hurt and concern”, “amounted to unlawful discrimination” and breached the Councillor Code of Conduct.

But Wiltshire Council’s Democracy and Complaints Manager Henry Powell ruled: “Political expression attracts a high level of protection, including statements which may shock, disturb or offend, and the Code is not intended to prevent robust disagreement about policies or political ideas.

“Some of the language used was strongly expressed and was understandably experienced by the complainant as offensive and dismissive.

“Nevertheless, when read in context, the comments were directed principally at the proposal, the political approach attributed to its supporters, and wider questions of public policy. They did not amount to a direct personal attack on the complainant.”

‘Intimidation’

Transgender activists recently heckled a woman who was petitioning Haringey Council to protect single-sex spaces for domestic abuse victims.

Emina Ibrahim had to be escorted from the building for her own safety after protestors directed abuse at her from outside the council chamber. The following day, Councillor Dr Tehseen Khan claimed that the activists had only voiced their support for ‘greater inclusivity’.

But speaking to The Daily Telegraph about the protest, Ibrahim said that “women participating peacefully in local democracy should not be subjected to intimidation — and those holding public office should not appear to endorse it”.