Protest held in Warwick over councillors' SEND comments
Parents gathered outside Shire Hall as councillors met for a budget meeting
Over a dozen protesters gathered outside Warwickshire County Council offices today (8 February) to call for three councillors to resign.
Councillors Jeff Morgan, Brian Hammersley and Clare Golby are currenlty under investigation for comments they made about children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The allegedly offensive and discriminatory comments were made during a scrutiny committee meeting last month, where increasing costs and demand for SEND services were discussed.
The remarks included the claim some children were "just really badly behaved", and that parents were swapping diagnosis tips on social media.
One local mother, Siobhan, has an SEN child – she told our reporter why she is not happy with the comments made.
Siobhan said: “Its hard enough raising a child. When you raise a child with SEN, it’s so much harder. You don’t need people, especially people in authority or those representing you, judging you when they don’t have the lived experience. And they have no idea.”
A budget setting meeting was also held at the Council today, which several parents of SEND children attended.
Council leader Izzi Seccombe read out a statement apologising to those impacted by the comments made.
She said: “I am concerned and worried on a number of levels. Firstly, by the damage to our relationship with the SEND community, and the confidence Warwickshire children with SEND and their families have in us. Secondly, the impression people may be forming about our council."
Cllr Seccombe concluded the speech: “With our position of responsibility, we should speak respectfully, sensitively, and that we’re mindful of the impact our words have on others. Also while undertaking our roles as councillors, we should not fear personal threats or abuse.”
The Conservative councillors at the centre of the row have apologised for their comments.
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