A Westminster City Council meeting descended into disarray this week, with the leader called a “scumbag” and a person ejected from Westminster City Hall. The Central London borough’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday was marked by heated exchanges and political jibes between Conservative and Labour councillors.
Speaker Ejected After Calling Councillors 'Racist Scumbags'
Part-way through proceedings, a speaker interrupted the chamber and called councillors “racist scumbags”, specifically targeting the leader of the Tory-run authority. The interjector’s outburst concerned alleged harassment of Palestine supporters by the police.
Lord Mayor, Cllr Karen Scarborough, repeatedly struck her gavel and told the individual that they were “not allowed to say anything”. The vehement interjector spoke for about 45 seconds, before a Conservative councillor told the Lord Mayor to call the police.
“She just said she would ‘have us’ – that’s a threat in a public place – I’d like the police called,” he told the chamber. The speaker was then swiftly ejected from the council chamber. The Lord Mayor told councillors that the individual “will not be allowed back in”.
Oxford Street Pedestrianisation Sparks Heated Debate
But, that was not the only dramatic incident to take place at Westminster’s most recent Full Council meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Ellie Ormsby, put Council Leader Paul Swaddle in the hot seat over Oxford Street.
She asked the Leader if pre-election promises to launch a legal review were genuine or just a “cynical attempt to win votes”. Cllr Swaddle said soon after the election that he’d realised there was no way to stop it so performed what rivals called a U-turn on the issue. The debate erupted into chaos as councillors shouted across the chamber at one another over the pedestrianisation of the busy London thoroughfare.
Former Labour Leader of the Council Adam Hug could be seen telling Cllr Swaddle that there had been “consistent legal advice” that there was no way to stop the Mayor from bringing about Oxford Street’s pedestrianisation. In response, Council Leader Paul Swaddle accused the former Labour administration of “capitulation” to the Mayor and handing over Oxford Street with “no fight”.
Lord Mayor Accused of 'Editorialising'
The Lord Mayor, who is meant to be apolitical, was even drawn into the meeting’s political back and forth. She was forced to withdraw a comment after being called out by Labour councillors for “editorialising.”
Cllr Scarborough accused the Labour Leader of “perhaps re-writing history”, after Cllr Ormsby accused the Tories of building private homes, rather than social housing in Westminster. Former Council Leader Adam Hug interrupted to tell the Lord Mayor that her comment was “unacceptable editorialising.” She then chose to withdraw her statement.
Council officers have said that they will be reviewing footage of the person who was ejected from the meeting. If they feel a threat was made, this will be reported to police.
