Formal complaint made after Reform councillor described MP's Muslim event visit as 'pandering'

Councillor Frank Kilgallon (Reform, Oakley) was reacting to a post on Facebook by Wellingborough and Rushden MP Gen Kitchen, who posted a picture of herself at an iftar event at the Victoria Centre with local Muslim women, thanking them for making her feel ‘so welcome’.

The post received a stream of abuse, and also a comment from Councillor Kilgallon, who quipped: ‘Tell us you are pandering without using the word pandering!!’.

He was challenged on the post by fellow councillor Scott Brown (Ind, Earls Barton) and also by a member of Ms Kitchen’s staff who asked him to expand.

He declined to do so.

In his comment, Cllr Brown said Cllr Kilgallon’s post implied that ‘simply attending an iftar is somehow pandering, rather than basic, decent outreach,’ adding: “That’s not a critique of policy; it’s a thinly veiled attack on engaging with the Muslim community at all.”

Local Reform members have told our reporters they are ‘unimpressed’ with Cllr Kilgallon’s comment, with one describing it as an ‘own goal’.

Now the council has confirmed it has received a formal complaint over his conduct, which it is alleged breached the Nolan principles.

The complaint says that the comment implies bias against a specific religious group, and that it promotes ‘division rather than confidence in elected representatives’.

The post has now been removed from Facebook. Cllr Kilgallon did not respond to a request from this newspaper for comment.

MP Gen Kitchen said: “I represent everyone across Wellingborough and Rushden, and as the local MP I attend events that reflect the full diversity of our community. That includes celebrations and gatherings with our Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities, as well as with people of other faiths and none. That is part of the job and part of serving everyone fairly. The comment was inappropriate, particularly from someone who has also been elected to represent all residents.”

A North Northamptonshire Council spokesman said: “The Monitoring Officer has been made aware of this matter and will consider any concerns which relate to a possible breach of the Councillor Code of Conduct.”

North Northamptonshire Council leader Cllr Martin Griffiths said that it would be inappropriate to comment given a formal complaint has been made.