A HAND gesture made by City of York Council’s deputy leader during a meeting has sparked complaints, an opposition call for an apology and counter-claims about previous behaviour from the latter.

Friday, 25 April 2025 13:59

By Joe Gerrard

The complaints came after Labour’s Cllr Pete Kilbane appeared to turn his fingers next to his head during an exchange with opposition Liberal Democrats in February’s Budget meeting.

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Cllr Nigel Ayre said such gestures and language also allegedly used had no place in council meetings and he called on Cllr Kilbane to take responsibility for his actions.

But Cllr Kilbane said he would never use discriminatory language, was misunderstood and claimed the complaint was politically-motivated as Cllr Ayre had also previouslymade gestures.

It comes after the complaints against Cllr Kilbane from the opposition and a member of the public went before a council Joint Standards Committee assessment hearing on Friday, April 11.

They alleged that Cllr Kilbane first made the gesture and mouthed inappropriate language in response to Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Paula Widdowson making a disputed claim about public realm vacancies.

Cllr Ayre then called on the deputy leader to withdraw the comments and apologise.
Cllr Kilbane then denied using the term mental and said the gesture came in response to the opposition indulging in fantasy politics and making up facts.

The exchange was recorded during the council’s broadcast of its budget meeting on YouTube.

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