Angela Kilmartin's Pride flag comments 'breached code of conduct'

Angela Kilmartin had been criticised over comments she made on a Facebook post.

She said she did not want any "Pride sex flags" along Witham High Street, adding “sex is only for the bedroom”.

Following the incident, Ms Kilmartin, who was also a Witham Town Councillor and former mayor of the town, was suspended from the Witham Constituency Conservative Association.

Braintree Council also commissioned an investigation to look into her conduct as a town councillor.

The monitoring officer determined the behaviour was “in breach of the town council’s code of conduct”.

It said: "The Monitoring Officer has advised that it would be beneficial for councillor Kilmartin to undergo Equality Act and emotional intelligence training.

“Further in light of the upset caused to the community, councillor Kilmartin is invited to issue an apology for the comments made on Facebook.”

Ms Kilmartin is no longer a district councillor, however this being as a result of her failure to attend a meeting of the Council in the last six months.

She remains a town councillor.

Ms Kilmartin said: “Previously, on March 30, I had already ceased my yearly membership of the Conservative party and forthwith was no longer subject to council rules and regulations.

“I could not therefore be removed by them as a district councillor on April 6. I had removed myself.

“I have not renewed my Conservative Party membership because I was to stand down on May 4 anyway."

The news comes as planning is underway for the town’s first Pride event, due to be held in August.

Residents are moving ahead with the plans after being left shocked after a LGBTQ+ flag in a salon window was egged six times.

Many businesses are now displaying bespoke 'Witham with Pride' stickers in their windows.

Donavan Kempen, a hairstylist at Feathers hair salon, in Newlands Drive, said taking down the flag was "not an option" despite the repeated attacks.