An English local council has witnessed chaotic scenes at its recent budget debate after pro-Palestine protesters staged a demonstration before scuffles erupted.
Video footage from the meeting in Chorley showed events take a turn after a Tory Councillor attempted to restore order.
Following on from pro-Palestine activist Jenny Hurley, Councillor Craige Southern shouted: “It’s Chorley, not b****y Gaza.”
Southern was also heard calling for the protesters to “get out”, adding: “Go on.”
Video footage from the meeting in Chorley showed events take a turn after a Tory Councillor attempted to restore order
The Conservative Councillor attempted to physically escort Hurley from the meeting.
Councillors, officials and protesters then got up close and personal with each other as voices continued to be raised.
Hurley had asked a question about housing in the Lancashire borough but later opted to turn her attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Sharing the footage on social media. Hurley said: “Tory councillor, Craige Southern, ASSAULTS me when we challenge Chorley council on why they have not passed a motion for ceasefire in Gaza during the horrific genocide.
“First Hoyle stops our voice, now this! Chorley will be heard.”
However, Councillor Southern defiantly fired back against the “baying mob”.
He told The Daily Mail: “I wish to make clear I did not attack anyone and I would be very careful suggesting that I did.
“I was in fact protecting myself and others from these threatening and anti-democratic bullies who did all they could to try and disrupt the meeting to get their way over an issue that has absolutely nothing to do with Chorley Council.
“This baying mob was so threatening the meeting was suspended and the mayor had to be taken to safety. Some councillors were in tears.”
Southern, who expressed his sympathy towards the people of Gaza, added: “Chorley Council has no opinion on what’s happening to people 1,000 miles away in Gaza, we are there to talk about Chorley Borough.
“Of course we care about Gaza – I have sympathy for Gaza, I think it’s terrible – but we can’t do anything about it.
“And these people coming to protest couldn’t find Gaza on a map if you pointed to it.”
He also voiced support for the democratic right to protest but expressed concern with any attempt to “hijack” an elected chamber.
Lancashire Police has since confirmed an investigation is underway after a complaint of assault was made but no arrests have been made at this stage.
Source Agencies
