19 January 2011 Last updated at 08:32Confidence vote over Prestatyn mayor's 'Hitler' remark
The motion also refers to complaints by Mike Eckersley to an ombudsman
A mayor accused of referring to Hitler in a discussion about travellers is facing a no confidence vote.
Mike Eckersley, mayor of Prestatyn and a Conservative Denbighshire councillor, allegedly made the reference at a council corporate equalities meeting.
A notice to be discussed by Prestatyn Town Council later claims Mr Eckersley caused "embarrassment" to the office of mayor and the council.
Mr Eckersley was unavailable for comment.
In November 2010, Denbighshire council said Mr Eckersley had offered to apologise following comments he was accused of making during the debate.
Christine Evans, the chair of the meeting, called it a "stupid" comment made on "the spur of the moment" during a discussion about travellers.
Dr Evans said Mr Eckersley "used the word Hitler and he said 'he got rid of them' or something like that".
She added: "It was a stupid remark and it was certainly not acceptable, particularly in an equalities meeting, although it probably wouldn't be a sensible thing to say in a pub.
"It was one of those spur of the moment remarks which was stupid but it's been blown out of proportion and he doesn't think like that."
'Unbefitting to role'
On Wednesday, Prestatyn town councillor Mike German - one of two councillors reported by the mayor to the public services ombudsman for comments made in the press about him in November - will propose a notice of motion.
It reads: "This council has no confidence in Councillor Mike Eckersley as Prestatyn town mayor because of the embarrassment caused to the Prestatyn Town Council and the office of town mayor following recent statements about Hitler and the travelling community attributed to him which were widely reported in the media.
"In addition, his unsubstantiated actions in reporting fellow councillors to the Ombudsman's office showing a lack of impartiality are unacceptable and unbefitting to the position and role of town Mayor."
Following Mr Eckersley's alleged remarks, the Welsh Conservative Party said it investigated immediately and had found no wrong-doing.
Denbighshire council said no complaints were made to its standards committee, but "concerns" had been raised.
It said at the time Mr Eckersley had offered to apologise for any offence at the next meeting of the equalities group - which is scheduled to take place in February.
Wednesday 19 January 2011
BBC News - Confidence vote over Prestatyn mayor's 'Hitler' remark
via bbc.co.uk
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