Shameful and disgusting are the only words that can describe the behaviour of Councillor Dale Overton (Lab) at the Extraordinary meeting of Worthing Borough Council this week (13th January).
Over 50 members of the public attended to listen to the debate about cancelling the election to the council in 2026 and at one point Councillor Overton shouted from the chamber floor to call a member of the public in the gallery an 'idiot'.
Cllr Kevin Jenkins, leader of the Worthing Conservative group said: "It did get a bit raucous at times, but that was simply residents expressing their frustration at this Labour Council and Government that simply aren't listening to them. This behaviour by Cllr Overton is shameful and disgusting. No member of the public should be subject to such abuse from any councillor. The public came to the chamber to ask questions and listen to the debate, not to be abused in this way."
Cllr Jenkins said: "To date we have not heard what disciplinary action Cllr Sophie Cox as leader of the Labour group intends to take about this. Simply to ignore it will typify the way that the public were treated in relation to their well founded concerns during this meeting".
