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Tory’s priest jibe row
A SENIOR Conservative councillor has stoked controversy in the Kentish Town by-election by telling Labour’s priest candidate to butt out.
Councillor Andrew Mennear was booed and heckled as he used open session at Monday’s full council meeting to condemn Labour for choosing the Reverend Sam McBratney to stand.
He said: “There is a need for us as local councillors to reflect the concerns of everyone living in this borough.
“I don’t believe having priests involved in politics has done Northern Ireland any favours whatsoever. I don’t like it. I am not happy at the choice of candidate.”
The Conservative’s own candidate Richard Merrin said he had no idea that Cllr Mennear was going to make the comments and would not be associated with the remarks.
Tory deputy mayor Councillor Dawn Somper, chairing the meeting, said: “I regret what has been said but I am not going to rule it out of order.”
Mr McBratney, a Methodist minister, was not at Monday’s meeting but Labour members reacted angrily on his behalf.
Labour leader Councillor Anna Stewart said: “It is not an appropriate thing to be saying in the council chamber. I think that it’s bang out of order Andrew.”
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