By Carole Dennett
An Isle of Wight councillor has announced he will no longer attend public meetings for the remainder of his term, following a series of heated exchanges in the council chamber.
As previously reported, an Extraordinary meeting of the Isle of Wight Council, on October 1 – called to discuss devolution – was suspended, after tensions escalated between Cllr Geoff Brodie and other members. It was the second meeting halted in two days, following a planning committee session disrupted by allegations made by Cllr Brodie against Councillor Caroline Gladwin.
Cllr Brodie had accused Cllr Gladwin of wrongdoing over her declaration of interests, despite the monitoring officer confirming that no breach had occurred. During the full council meeting the following day, he described Reform UK as a “racist” party and “a threat to democracy,” and referred to Cllr Dave Adams as a “fascist pig.” When the Chairman, Ian Dore, attempted to intervene, Cllr Brodie also labelled him a racist, prompting the meeting’s suspension. Cllr Gladwin left both meetings in tears.
In a message to all councillors, Cllr Dore reminded members of the code of conduct and said: “Notwithstanding what other members were exposed to, I find myself being featured in – of all publications – The Daily Mail: being called a racist. The video does not make for great viewing.” He added that such behaviour “risks undermining public confidence and may have a negative influence on both individual and Council reputations.”
Cllr Brodie has now confirmed he will not attend any further public meetings before the next local elections, after which he plans to retire. In a response to Cllr Dore, copied to all councillors, he wrote: “You (and no doubt others) will be delighted to know that I have advised the CX that I will not be attending any public meetings in the last 6 months of my 5th term of office, at which point I will retire with great relief. I will concentrate on my ward and community charity for the remainder of my term in office.”
He apologised for calling Cllr Dore a racist, saying it was “in the heat of the moment” after he felt his right to speak had been denied. However, he added: “I have no reason to consider you racist, though I cannot say the same for a few other members of this Council.”
Meanwhile, the ABC group on the Isle of Wight Council has been disbanded following the election of a second Reform councillor. Bill Nigh, who won the recent Lake North by-election, is now leader of the Reform group, alongside Cllr Gladwin. Cllr Adams, who represents Nettlestone & Seaview, said the ABC group had been formed with Cllr Gladwin in response to the council’s rules on committee seat allocation. As he is not a Reform councillor, he intends to now sit again as an independent. He confirmed there was no ill-feeling between himself and the Reform members.