U-turn after councillors told they can't take part in disabled access debate - because they are disabled

Cllrs Katie Lomas and Ashley Mason were hoping to contribute to the debate at a City of York Council meeting this evening (Thursday).

But Cllr Lomas was told she had a personal interest in the debate over whether blue badge holders can access York city centre, as she has a blue badge.

🗣 Er, Cllr Katie Lomas says she has been told she cannot take part in a council debate about disabled people accessing York city centre at the meeting - because she is disabled

💬 She has requested to take part, saying she feels this is discriminatory, but will not be allowed

— Chloe Laversuch (@ChloeLaversuch) July 15, 2021

However, the council then performed a u-turn after council chiefs reversed the decision during a break in proceedings.

🚨 Council U-turn - Councillors Katie Lomas and Ashley Mason - who were told they could not speak in a debate about disabled people accessing the city centre because they are disabled and have a personal interest - WILL now take part

The decision was reversed in meeting break

— Chloe Laversuch (@ChloeLaversuch) July 15, 2021

Cllr Lomas had been told she had a prejudicial interest in the debate by the monitoring officer because of her disability.

In a speech at the meeting she said: "To prevent me from participating in this debate is to treat me differently directly because of a disability. And this is discrimination."

More to follow