Council launches sexism inquiry

YORKSHIRE: An investigation has been launched by a North Yorkshire council into a sexism after two women were caught making disparaging remarks about a male councillor’s physique during a meeting.

A NORTH YORKSHIRE council has been caught up in a sexism row after two women were caught making disparaging remarks about a male councillor during a meeting.

An investigation has been launched by Ryedale Council after a member of the public made a complaint about the exchange.

The whispered conversation was picked up by Ryedale Council’s own recording system and published on its website following a meeting that took place earlier this month.

In the back and forth whispered conversation one person asks another to imagine the councillor without their clothes on, to which the other replies: ‘God, I’d rather not’.

The target of this exchange appears to be the previous speaker, Coun Eric Hope.

Almost an hour into the meeting, he had just finished introducing changes to the council’s policy on gambling when the comments were made.

On the recording the chairman of the committee, Coun Val Arnold, is heard putting the item to a vote.

Following a period of silence two female voices can be faintly heard in the recording.

One says: “Have you ever heard such a convoluted question?” before the recording drops out for a second.

Following a brief mumble another voice states: “Just imagine him with his clothes off.” After the ‘God, I’d rather not’ reply is offered, a voice is then heard saying “oh that’s flashing away” before the recording goes silent, suggesting the speaker had realised a microphone had been left on.

The next voice is a male officer announcing the vote had been passed.

There were nine female councillors at the meeting, including chairman Val Arnold, along with the council’s chief executive, Janet Waggott.

Ryedale Council would not confirm who was responsible for the remarks.

‘Just imagine him with his clothes

off?’ A comment made by an unknown

woman at a council meeting

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are aware that a complaint has been made by a member of the public and are investigating the matter.

“The part of the recording which was inappropriate and caused offence has been removed from the council website.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Coun Hope said he had not heard the exchange but commented “it is a very strange comment to make”.

He said he would like to listen to the recording himself before making any comment on what was said.