North Lanarkshire’s depute provost has issued a public apology after referring to children as “feral” during a recent meeting. The Conservative councillor Bob Burgess, representing Wishaw, faced backlash following comments made at an education committee session where he mentioned “feral” under-18s carrying knives and referred to murders. He later retracted his statement, clarifying that he intended to use the term “wild” instead.
At the beginning of the latest full council meeting, where a motion advocating for his removal from the depute provost position was scheduled, Councillor Burgess addressed the chamber. He expressed regret for his previous remarks, acknowledging their inappropriateness and issuing an unreserved apology for his choice of words. Burgess emphasised his long-standing involvement in coaching and teaching judo to young people in North Lanarkshire over the past 50 years, highlighting his dedication to supporting youth initiatives.
In his address, Councillor Burgess stated, “One of the great privileges of being depute provost is being able to see the excellent work and contributions of young people, and I have been impressed by the projects and initiatives I have seen.” He committed to being more mindful of the impact of his words in the future and pledged to actively engage with various youth projects across North Lanarkshire to witness firsthand the positive work being carried out.
SNP councillor Allan Stubbs from Coatbridge North commended the sincerity displayed by Councillor Burgess and disclosed that his group had decided to retract the motion calling for Burgess’s removal. This resolution signifies a step towards reconciliation and a renewed focus on supporting the youth initiatives within North Lanarkshire.
The incident has sparked discussions around the importance of respectful language and the impact of words used in official settings. It serves as a reminder of the significance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for young people within the community, encouraging constructive dialogue and collaboration in addressing youth issues effectively.