By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
A group of councillors walked out of a Gedling Borough Council meeting following a heated discussion about why they were not wearing face masks.
The disagreement between a number of Labour and Conservative members broke out towards the end of Wednesday’s meeting at the Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park.
Councillor Ron McCrossen (Lab) asked if it was optional to wear masks in the chamber after a number of Conservative members were seen to have removed theirs.
Councillor Michael Adams (Con), who was not wearing a mask, responded: “We were advised that we are able to not wear them if we so wish.”
Six Conservative councillors then left the meeting following a heated exchange with Labour members about the issue. A seventh, Councillor John Parr, stayed while wearing a mask.
The full council meeting was held in person but also streamed publicly online.
Deputy Council Leader Michael Payne (Lab) told the meeting: “Wearing a mask isn’t a personal choice when you’re in a room with other people.”
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Sam Smith (Con) said the incident was “shameful”, “disorderly” and “a total disgrace”.
He said: “The sad thing is that the residents we all represent would rather we spend time talking about the work the council is doing to improve the lives of residents.
“Three Labour councillors piled in on the mask topic. It left us with no option but to leave.
“It was like being in a playground, we couldn’t get on with the business of the day.”
He added: “The Conservative councillors are clear that government guidance says masks should be worn inside when you can’t be socially distanced. We were two metres apart from each other in the meeting, therefore you do not have to wear masks.
“We wore masks in the corridors and the meeting rooms because that’s a public space.
“There was no point on the agenda on the mask policy and at no point did they raise a point of order. We’ve logged a formal investigation on this.”
During the meeting, Cllr Payne said: “Across this chamber, there are people who elected members will go home to tonight, who are clinically extremely vulnerable, who are still at serious risk of being hospitalised.
“We were politely requested to do the decent thing and wear a mask.
“I do hope before we get to the next full council meeting, we can show some maturity and be the adults in the room.
“Members of the public who will be watching and listening to this debate tonight will be disgusted.
“We are not children, we are adults, and we need to show some leadership.”
Leader of Gedling Borough Council John Clarke said: “I am very disappointed to see the Conservative group walk out. There’s enough arguing, we need to get on and try to rebuild.”
