The leader of Gosport Borough Council has apologised after being requested at the 4th March Full Council by Cllr Zoe Huggins for remarking on the town’s mayor, whom many councillors described as sexist. The comment, referencing The Sun newspaper’s former Page Three feature, was made during a council meeting and prompted criticism from several members who said it objectified the mayor and was inappropriate in a professional setting.
The remark led to an extraordinary council meeting where councillors raised concerns about workplace culture and standards of behaviour within the authority. Some councillors argued the comment undermined respect and professionalism in local government.
Following the backlash, the council leader issued a public apology, saying the comment was intended as a joke but acknowledging that it had caused offence. The incident has sparked wider discussions about conduct, sexism, and accountability in local politics, with Cllr Westerby surprisingly remarking that the Mayor did not represent her as a strong woman!
