A foul-mouthed outburst has sparked a council investigation after evidence of the rant was removed from a recorded meeting – in farcical scenes likened to that of Handforth Parish Council.
Buckinghamshire Council has over night removed the moment Cllr Ray Farmer bellowed “manage yourselves you f*****g Tory t*****s” during a full council meeting, on Wednesday, February 24.
The eruption came when a phone rang loudly during the voting stage for the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme, which was approved.
However, the council has since cut the segment from the recording and when challenged on its decision to do this, it said the outburst was “offensive”, adding: “We are not covering it up.”
When asked about his outburst Cllr Farmer first denied it, before later admitting it was him.
Conservative Cllr Netta Glover, who could be seen clutching her mouth and laughing shortly after, said she “never expected” a Handforth Parish Council moment in Buckinghamshire.
PICTURED: Cllr Netta Glover giggling after Cllr Farmer's outburst
“My mirth arose from a couple of reactions to the outburst,” said Cllr Glover. “The Handforth Parish Council broadcast was fresh in my mind.
“I never expected anything similar from our council so when it did happen to us my mirth came unbidden – the use of the word ‘t****r’ always amuses me even though it is used without limit by so many.”
READ MORE: 99 Atropine vials found in grassy verge still not collected by council a month later
Handforth Parish Council became infamous when a December meeting that descended into chaos went viral and Jackie Weaver became a household name.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Farmer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he was “frustrated” by the way the vote was conducted and its interruptions.
Bucks Council said it had received a complaint relating to comments made during the meeting, but that no councillors were named.
PICTURED: Cllr Farmer
“I can’t recall that,” said Cllr Farmer, before adding moments later: “I shouldn’t have done it. I will have to apologise to the chairman. I just got so frustrated.
“[The outburst] was very unusual for myself…very out of character…I must admit, but sometimes it gets you.
“I can only apologise for it – but how it was conducted was absolutely frustrating.”
Cllr Farmer added there was “no excuse” for his behaviour.
He said he had no knowledge Bucks Council had edited the recording. “No one spoke to me about it,” he said.
In its first response, Bucks Council said: “We are investigating the comments made at full council and there will be consideration of whether a member has breached the code of conduct.
“We have received a complaint.”
When pressed by the LDRS as to why it had chosen to edit the recording, the council added: “We have edited the video as it was offensive. The complainant hasn’t said who the Cllr was, and it happened off camera.
“We are now investigating this incident, we are not covering it up.”
Cllr Farmer also revealed he will not stand in the May elections because he is retiring.
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