Pride 'is sin' councillor's election sparks resignation in Northamptonshire

Labour's Zoe McGhee told the meeting she refused to "sit on a panel chaired by a bigot"

A councillor resigned from a committee after a member who tweeted that pride was "a sin" was elected chairman.

Zoe McGhee, Labour, said it was abhorrent that someone "who has been so brazen with their views" could lead North Northamptonshire Council's Health Scrutiny Panel.

Tory councillor King Lawal was initially suspended last after tweeting about Gay Pride month.

He said his appointment was carried out "in line" with the council's rules.

In his post, on the platform now known as X, Mr Lawal said: "When did Pride become a thing to celebrate.

"Because of Pride Satan fell as an arch Angel. Pride is not a virtue but a Sin."

He was suspended by his party but reinstated in October.

He explained his post by saying: "I do not come against those celebrating Pride to attack who they are, my intention was to say that I would not celebrate this any more than I would celebrate a month of gossip or anything else the Bible calls sin."

Following the vote at the scrutiny panel, Ms McGhee collected her belongings and walked out of the meeting

At Tuesday's panel meeting, Mr Lawal was one of two nominees for the post of chair.

Ms McGhee told the panel Mr Lawal had been "brazen" with his views and added: "If this goes through, consider that my resignation from this panel.

"I refuse to sit on a panel chaired by a bigot."

King Lawal was suspended by his local party but then reinstated

Mr Lawal continued the meeting and said: "It is a privilege to be voted in as chair of this most esteemed committee and we should move on with the agenda."

In a statement later, Ms McGhee said she was "pained" to hear the views of the new chairman as he oversaw the council health agenda which she said included "inclusivity, positivity and empathy".

She added: "He has since offered nothing but a lacklustre apology.

"My decision to resign from the committee came from the heart - and I do so in solidarity with a community that truly means the world to me."

Mr Lawal told the BBC: "The appointment to the position of chair of NNC's Health Scrutiny Committee was carried out in line with the processes outlined in the council's constitution and I was duly elected.

"I am pleased to have been re-elected as chair and it is a privilege to serve the constituents of North Northamptonshire."