‘Horrified’ councillor says his comments about people ‘crossing the channel in an open boat’ have been misinterpreted
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA ‘horrified’ councillor says comments he made about people ‘crossing the channel in an open boat’ have been misinterpreted.
Coun John Taylor says the ‘unacceptable’ remarks - made during a debate about a controversial housing scheme - highlighted objectors’ concerns, but did not represent his own views.
Proposals to build 200 homes at Mirrlees Fields, in Stockport, were ultimately rejected at a meeting of the council’s planning committee, to the delight of local campaigners.
But Coun Taylor has been urged to explain his contribution to the discussion after he suggested the homes would not be occupied ‘by people crossing the channel in an open boat with a paddle’, but Stockport people who have jobs and pay taxes.John Pearson, of Stockport United Against Austerity, asked for an explanation of his words - and their relevance - at the February meeting of the planning committee. “We hope that Coun Taylor’s sentiments are not shared by other members of the committee,” he said. “We fear that comments like this, in a publicly webcast meeting might continue to be made if they are not challenged by other people.”READ MORE: Dozens of new flats could be built near historic town centre church Mr Pearson said that a letter from his group - supported by Stockport Alliance for Equality and Stockport Stand Up to Racism - was sent to all members of the panel but only received one response.
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