Mayor's mistake (From Free Press Series)

Mayor's mistake

7:20am Wednesday 6th August 2008

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THE MAYOR of Torfaen, Cllr Aneurin James, has admitted he made an error in ordering Conservative councillor Paul Williams out of the chamber at a meeting of the full council last week.

In a show of solidarity, 15 opposition councillors also left the chamber in protest after Cllr Williams, pictured, was told to leave.

The walk-out happened as Cllr Williams tried to call a point of order during a row about the creation of a cabinet post for equalities.

Cllr James admitted he did make an error and over-reacted.

“I ruled against Cllr Williams’ point of order. He wouldn’t listen to my ruling, so I stood up and said ‘when I stand up you will cease to speak.’ When he continued speaking I asked him to leave the chamber,” he said.

“An error had been made on my side and perhaps on Cllr Williams’ side. The mayor’s ruling on a point of order is final but I can see I over-reacted because Cllr Williams would not listen to my position.

“I wish very much it had not had happened but at the end of the day they have got to respect that the position of the mayor is final and you have got to have discipline in the chamber.”

The meeting was adjourned and Cllr Williams and opposition members were invited back into the chamber, although five chose not to return.

Cllr Williams said: “Cllr James made a mistake, he has apologised and I have apologised to him. I think that is a matter that should be put under the table and forgotten. The reason I was thrown out should not be.”

Cllr Williams said he was questioning why the majority group were seeking retrospective amendments to the council’s constitution to approve changes to cabinet portfolios which the cabinet had already approved.

Cllr Stuart Evans, leader of Torfaen Peoples Coalition, defended its members’ walk-out, saying it was an expression of their disappointment at the mayor’s unconstitutional decision.

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