Sponsored by
Anger over councillor's 'big fat' gaffe
A SOUTH Tyneside Council cabinet member has branded the Local Government Minister 'big and fat' in a public meeting.
Labour councillor Ed Malcolm was secretly recorded commenting about the appearance of Conservative MP Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, during a South Tyneside Homes (STH) board meeting in Jarrow last month.
Coun Malcolm has refused to comment on the issue, but the alleged slur has angered local opposition parties.
During the recording, Coun Malcolm is heard talking about Government cuts and also how South Tyneside Council will be dealing with new Government ministers.
He said: "Whether we like it or not, and I certainly don't like it, we have got to speak to these people."
He continued: "All these people, and one of the things they have all got in common, going from big fat Eric Pickles, right the way down, is they have all been involved in local government."
As the council's lead member for resources, Coun Malcolm's role involves liaising with Government departments, including Mr Pickles'.
Coun Ahmed Khan, deputy leader of South Tyneside's Independent Alliance party, has reported the incident to the Standards Board.
He said: "In my opinion, Ed Malcolm had brought his position into disrepute.
"As a South Tyneside Cabinet member, someone in his position should lead by example.
"If you called someone fat in the workplace you could be sacked, so saying it in a public meeting is exactly the same."
Coun Joe Abbott, leader of the Liberal Democrats on South Tyneside Council, said: "I'm completely stunned by this comment. A personal attack like this in a public meeting is beyond belief.
"He may think that, but he should never say that in public. It's beyond a joke.
"For a lead member of the cabinet to call a Government minister 'fat' like Ed Malcolm has done is disgraceful."
Leader of the Tories on the council, Coun David Potts, said: "Ed Malcolm is hardly a bronzed Adonis himself.
"May I suggest that Ed put his photograph on www.hotornot.com and let the public decide between the two. My money is firmly on Eric Pickles."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
