Councillors apologise for swine flu gags
Three councillors in South Gloucestershire have apologised for swapping jokes about swine flu as the authority dealt with two confirmed cases of the disease.
The council acted after a complaint that members – including one who represented the ward where a school was shut because of the bug – abused its e-mail system by swapping gags on Friday afternoon.
-
Councillors apologise for swine flu gags
They did so as council staff, doctors and nurses dealt with the closure of Downend School, which is run by the authority, after a 12-year-old Year 7 pupil contracted the disease while on holiday in Mexico.
The pupil, who has not been named, had returned to school before falling ill and the school has been closed until next Monday as a precaution.
Later it emerged that a second South Gloucestershire resident, 43-year-old Barry Greatorex of Chipping Sodbury, had also been diagnosed with the disease, which he caught from a colleague who had visited Mexico.
Last night the authority issued a statement in which the councillors involved – Tories Janet Biggin, who represents Downend, Justin Howells (Stoke Gifford) and Lib Dem Peter Tyzack (Pilning and Severn Beach) – apologised individually.
A council spokesman, said: "This behaviour is totally unacceptable. The leaders of the Conservative and Lib Dem groups on the council have been informed and have taken appropriate action with their members.
"All councillors must sign-up to policies relating to the acceptable use of council IT equipment."
Ms Biggin said: "I very much regret any offence this may have caused to the local community and in particular to Downend School."
Mr Howells said: "I offer a full and complete apology and deeply regret any offence which I may have caused."
Mr Tyzack said: "I apologise unreservedly."
18 Comments
View all
by Anti PC, Downend
Saturday, May 09 2009, 10:43PM
“Why is it no one can have a sense of humour any more? I am sure lots of jokes have been passed around by all sorts of individuals regarding swine flu. None are meant to be offensive - it is just British humour which we do not seem to be allowed to have anymore because of a minority few who look for offense.”
by m, downend
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 2:49PM
“Yep, and pigs might fly - oh, they already flu away.”
by Mike B, Bristol
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 2:07PM
“It's not funny to make fun of Swine Flu sufferers, as reports are coming in that a number of victims are at last showing signs of recovery. A spokesman said they are looking much more perky. Some however have developed spots,and are coming out in rashers. My local MP considers the Government has been hamming up the whole affair.”
by Alex, Mangotsfield
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 1:52PM
“Swine flu has become a convenience to detract the focus of the electorate away from the horrible mess failing politicians have made of our country,the failing economy, & publicity regarding their own avaricious snouts feeding out off the countries coffers. Who amongst us had heard of this flu until the last few weeks? It arrived just in time to bury the bad news within it's own media managed publicity Strangely I do not believe it simply because I am not that gullible . It is only 2 years since we were all in danger from a pandemic called avian flu & chickens were slaughtered in their thousands .Strange how these fears are ignited within the populace at will . What next?”
by steve, Bristol
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 12:55PM
“Anon... A joke is a joke regardless of circumstance. It lightens the mood and relieves tension from situations.
I suggest you trot on. :o)”
by Victoria, not amused
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 12:26PM
“Ooooh, get you.”
by Anon, Downend
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 12:08PM
“What a person finds amusing in their own environment is private. What a person promotes as being amusing when employed in public office is wrong. The reason there is a policy laying out how the IT system should be used is to prevent it from being abused. What the councillors did not only contradict the policy on proper use of publicly funded equipment but was extremely insensitive. Lets not forget that people have died from this strain of flu. Would the general public be quite so forgiving if the jokes had been about hit and run drivers?”
by Space Monster, Bristol
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 10:43AM
“Mr Howells said: "I offer a full and complete apology and deeply regret any offence which I may have caused."
I'm sorry councillor but that's just not showing enough contrition. I want you all to grovel prostratedly in pig "swill" on the top of the council offices in Yate. Then and only then will the ratepayers of South Glos can deem themselves to have received enough of an apology.”
by gerry, bristol
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 10:02AM
“Why apologise, south gloucestershire councillors are all a bunch of comedians.”
by Disgusted, Stoke Bishop
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 9:57AM
“Naughty swine - should be gagged.”