A councillor embroiled in a race row could be investigated after allegedly defending the use of racist language during a council meeting.

Councillor Graham Down, an independent member for Shirenewton, appeared to defend the use of racially-charged speech during a Monmouthshire County Council motion condemning racism and xenophobia.

During the discussion at last week’s meeting of the full council, he suggested that using the ’N-word’ and a derogatory term for Pakistani, should not be considered racist or a hate crime, if ‘used with no hate involved’.

The row forced leader of the council, Peter Fox, to bring the incident to the attention of a body charged with investigating the behaviour of council officials.??

“We feel it necessary to refer Councillor Down to the Public Service Ombudsman following his contribution during a debate where the council was condemning racism, xenophobia and hate crimes,” said Councillor Fox in a statement from the leadership of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats Groups at MCC.

“We were appalled to hear Councillor Down try to defend and justify the use of racially offensive language.

“We strongly believe that there is no place in society today for offensive language of any description. The use of, or justification, is abhorrent and should not be tolerated.”

The complaint has been lodged with Nick Bennett, who, as Public Service Ombudsman, has the legal powers to investigate complaints which include allegations of councillors breaking their authority’s code of conduct.

Councillor Down said at the meeting that some people used such terms without malice, and often within the social norms of their upbringing.

“I recall hearing an interview on the radio a few weeks ago. The reporter was of Pakistani origin and she was just interviewing a man she happened across in the street and he referred to her by, I suppose I’m not allowed to use the word, but a shortened version of Pakistani, shall we say.

“There was no hate involved. It was just as far as the guy was concerned, it was simply a term that he would use perfectly normally.

“The reporter was clearly upset about it, but I say again, there was no hate involved. From the perpetrator’s perspective, it was simply the way he had been brought up,” he said.

His comments led to Labour councillors Jessica Crook, and Tony Easson, leaving the chamber during the statement to the council.

Councillor Armand Watts said on Monday that fellow councillors ‘had lessons to learn’ and called for further training on the issue.

Councillor Watts, who tried to intervene whilst Councillor Crook questioned the comments, aired his concerns after the meeting. ??“I think the issue we have is that we’ve got a prominently older set of councillors - mainly white, middle-aged men. It seems only some of them get it.”

“I suggested at the end of the meeting that councillors need to have more training because we’re in the 21st Century now.

“I think Councillor Crook is a brave young councillor, who helped shed light on how younger people feel about this language.

“When people see this it will seem that some of our council pretend these issues don’t exist in our county.”

Councillor Watts highlighted other issues of racist language within the county council, referring to

Councillor Watts referenced Monmouthshire county council’s recent history of councillors making inappropriate and potentially racist remarks in public.

On return to the chamber, Councillor Crook said, “I didn’t really see the need to comment on this motion as it’s pretty self explanatory.

“I cannot believe, which is the reason I walked out of Councillor Down’s unbelievable little tirade there, that we’ve just let somebody in this chamber condone the use of racist language.

“If you say those words, you are being racist. If you condone the use of those words, you are being racist.”

Councillor Crook resumed her comments, following interruptions from council chairman Councillor Jim Higgins who she criticised for his interjection.

“I can’t believe you’ve just stood there and interrupted me for lambasting somebody whose just condoned racism on the internet. Are we absolutely having a laugh?

“That is absolutely disgusting and every single one of you who has tried to interrupt me as well and telling me to shut up for lambasting that sort of behaviour should also be extremely ashamed of themselves.

“I stand up, put my head above the parapet and say that is absolutely wrong, and I get jeered down. What is the matter with all of you?”

The full council passed the motion condemning racist and xenophobic language, despite the uproar.

Council Chief Executive, Paul Matthews said, “Monmouthshire County Council unanimously agreed on Thursday evening a motion put forward by Chairman of the Council Jim Higginson.

“As is usual in council debates individual councillors express opinions. They are accountable to the public for their own actions and statements.

“It is common for personal positions to be at odds with the council’s policy position.

“It is true to say that there were strong exchanges on Thursday. I have not received any formal complaints or code of conduct referrals at the time of writing this statement.”

Following the controversy, Councillor Down said there had been an overreaction and called Councillor Crook a ‘silly little girl’.

“For someone growing up today, they would know that the language that was commonplace in my day is rude.

“I don’t deny that using these words is impolite, rude and unacceptable but the word is hate.

“When people use these expressions in the way I discussed there’s no malice.

To accuse of them of hate is wrong. It’s not hate, it is ignorance.”??