THE leader of Oxford City Council has apologised following calls for her resignation after offending Independent candidates by writing them off as ‘the dog that didn’t bark’.
Susan Brown, who retained her Churchill ward seat during last week’s local elections, made the cutting comment in an interview with the Oxford Mail immediately after all results had been announced.
The Labour councillor said the Independent candidates had ‘talked a big talk’, in reference to their united opposition to the city’s divisive low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
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However, candidates – who despite missing out on seats still came ahead of most mainstream parties – took offence to the council leader’s choice of phrasing.
Amir Steve Ali, who finished second, and 343 votes behind Labour’s Jemima Hunt, in the St Clement’s ward after fighting his first election, went as far to say that Ms Brown should resign if she didn’t apologise.
When approached by the Oxford Mail, Ms Brown admitted she had caused offence.
She said: “At the end of a very long day on election night, I gave an interview on the city council election results.
“I talked about the Independent campaign against LTNs and commented that they hadn’t been as successful as they had suggested they would be.
“I used a phrase about their campaign which, with the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had not, but was never intended to be personally offensive to anyone or to any group.
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“I apologise to anyone who took this as a personal insult. I always try to conduct our local politics in a courteous way and would never intentionally offend anyone by using inappropriate language.”
She added: “On the substantive issue, the point that I was trying to make was that the Independents’ campaign had not achieved its aims.
“I was also reinforcing the point that Labour city councillors are listening to all our local residents, both those who were in favour of LTNs and those who were really concerned about them.
“We have been encouraging the county council, which is the transport authority, to listen to the views of all of our local residents, and to work with them, and us, to ensure that transport policy for the city is strategic and tackles the major health and climate issues we face by creating better public transport, cycle lanes and pedestrian routes.”
Mr Ali demanded Ms Brown’s resignation if she did not apologise to the Independents.
He said: “I woke up late on Friday following the election and saw the comment about calling the Independents dogs. She was describing us as animals; it’s not what we expected.
“Many of us Independents feel it’s unprofessional and unacceptable. It was very hurtful to us and offensive so I demanded an apology or for her to resign.
“We’re all human beings, regardless of who wins or loses."
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