Reform UK councillor apologises for 'pandering' comments targeted at MP's visit to Muslim event

Three people submitted complaints to North Northamptonshire Council over the conduct of the Oakley ward Reform UK member.

Now Cllr Kilgallon has been told to undertake social media training by the council’s monitoring officer.

Last month, the councillor wrote ‘’Tell us you are pandering without using the word pandering!!’ under a Facebook post by Wellingborough MP Gen Kitchen after she visited an Iftar event.

He was criticised by the MP, who said his comment was ‘inappropriate’.

Following three code of conduct complaints that alleged the post was ‘rude, racist and does not portray the professionalism expected of a councillor’, Cllr Kilgallon removed his post.

Now the monitoring officer has ruled that Cllr Kilgallon must undergo social media training.

In a reponse to the complainants, Kamila Coulson-Patel said that the councillor had responded promptly to her, and included an apology in his response and had ‘expressed a willingness to learn from his experience’.

She directed there should be a local resolution which involves Cllr Kilgallon undertaking social media training within three months. She also recommended that he should apologise to Ms Kitchen, although she cannot compel him to do so.

NNC’s code of conduct encourages members to treat other councillors, council employees, representatives of partner organisations, and members of the public with respect. They should also promote equalities and should not discriminate, nor should they bring their role or the authority into disrepute.

Cllr Kilgallon did not respond to a request for comment from the Northants Telegraph.