Wakefield councillor sorry for 'scum' slur in budget meeting

Wakefield Council said setting the budget was a "difficult and emotive subject" to debate

A West Yorkshire councillor has apologised for labelling his opposite members as "scum" during a debate.

Akef Akbar, an independent Wakefield councillor, said he made the remark after he was accused of being a Tory.

Mr Akbar previously represented the Conservative Party but resigned in 2022 in protest at the whip system.

In a statement, he said: "I acknowledge that my choice of words was inappropriate and I apologise for my language."

The meeting was adjourned following Mr Akbar's outburst as tempers ran high during a budget vote where a 4.99% council tax rise was agreed.

Mr Akbar said he "should have had a better choice of words" - but claimed to have been provoked by Labour councillors.

He said: "During the debate one of the senior Labour councillors supporting the council tax increase referred to myself and independent councillor (Nadia) Sharp as Tories."

'Offensive'

Mr Akbar, a solicitor, resigned from the Conservatives less than a year after he was elected in protest at the whip system, which demands elected members vote with their party, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He added: "I find it offensive to be ridiculed just because I have the backbone to stand up for the residents that I represent and oppose an unfair council tax increase.

"Furthermore, being continuously labelled as a Tory is particularly offensive, given my past affiliation.

"My use of the word 'scum' was intended to describe the member as dishonourable."

A Wakefield Council spokesperson said setting the budget was a "difficult and emotive subject for councillors to debate".

"Regrettably, emotions did spill over into the debate and the meeting was adjourned for a short time," they added.

"All members of the chamber were reminded to debate the issues respectfully and when the meeting resumed the budget was voted on and passed."