Dudley Council meeting adjourned as Mayor asks UKIP leader to leave
A Dudley Council meeting had to be adjourned as UKIP leader Councillor Paul Brothwood was asked to leave the chamber.
The incident occurred during a meeting of the full council at The Council House in Priory Road this evening.
Councillor Brothwood was asked to sit down by Mayor Councillor Dave Tyler during a motion that had been put forward addressing the gender pay gap and inequality.
The meeting was adjourned for around 20 minutes while Councillor Brothwood was asked to leave the council chamber.
Speaking to the Express & Star afterwards, he said: "In essence the Labour group put forward a motion and I recognised the wording of it from an article from The Guardian. I felt there could be copyright issues in place.
"I tried to make the point and the Mayor asked me to leave.
"I feel that they were trying to silence democracy.
"I could not believe what was happening. I was fearing there could be a copyright issue so tried to raise it but then the Mayor would not let me.
"He then went on to say I was banned from speaking anymore. It was ridiculous."
Taking to Twitter, Councillor Adam Aston from the Labour party, said: "Shocking scenes at @dudleymbc Full Council! Only UKIP could make a motion about inequality about themselves."
The motion, that had been put forward by Councillor Cathryn Bayton, was carried once the meeting was resumed.
