Rotherham councillor sorry for falling asleep in child sexual exploitation briefing

A councillor who fell asleep during a briefing on child sexual exploitation has had the party whip suspended.

Several Rotherham councillors said Labour's Alan Atkin, who represents the Wath ward, was heard snoring during an Improving Lives meeting on Tuesday.

Council leader Chris Read said Mr Atkin's behaviour was "far from the standard of professionalism" expected.

Mr Atkin, 66, said he was "embarrassed" at falling asleep during the meeting and had apologised.

The councillor, who has served on the authority for 28 years, told the BBC: "It shouldn't have happened. If it hadn't been for the subject matter we are talking about, it wouldn't be a story.

"People fall asleep at work all the time, don't they? It happened, I wish it wouldn't have happened. I was probably asleep for two minutes.

"Everybody is making a mountain out of a mole hill."

Several councillors said they heard Mr Atkin snoring during a meeting on Tuesday

Mr Atkin said he had "not been sleeping for a while" and was "trying to arrange a meeting with the doctor at the moment to see what's wrong with me".

"It's something I have been putting off for ages. I'm embarrassed about it," he added.

"I'm a human being, people fall asleep sometimes. I put it down to my age and my weight."

In a statement, council leader Mr Read said: "Councillor Atkin's conduct in today's meeting was far from the standard of professionalism and diligence we expect from our elected officials.

"As such, we have suspended the whip from Councillor Atkin.

"We are a changed Labour Party, and the public have a right to know all Labour Party elected officials are of the highest standard," Mr Read added.

Alexander Stafford, the Conservative MP for Rother Valley, described the incident as "absolutely shocking".

Meanwhile, Conservative opposition councillor Joshua Bacon said it was an "insult" to survivors of child sexual exploitation.

"We all went into that meeting knowing how important it was," he added.

Mr Atkin said he did not know how long he might have the party whip suspended.