Croydon councillors watch football during meeting. Pic: Gabriella Bush/Twitter
Two members of Croydon council have apologised after being accused of being “incredibly disrespectful” for streaming a football match during a meeting.
A member of the public spotted Labour councillors John Wentworth and Pat Ryan watching Crystal Palace v Everton during a debate in Croydon Council’s chamber on Monday night.
Gabriella Bush posted photos on Twitter taken from the public gallery of the pair viewing the game on an iPad:
Nice to see councillors have their full attention on matters. #CroydonLive pic.twitter.com/seBXA0T5f1
— Gabriella Bush (@GabbyGrace) December 7, 2015
Members were debating the future of arts centre Fairfield Halls, which is due to shut for two years ahead of a £30m refurbishment.
Conservative councillor Mario Creatura tweeted:
Cllr Wentworth watching football on his iPad instead of the @FairfieldHalls debate. Incredibly disrespectful to worried staff. #CroydonLive
— Mario Creatura (@MarioCreatura) December 7, 2015
After members of the public also criticised them, Ryan said: “If people feel that I was not concentrating then I can assure them that was not the case. It was a fleeting look at the score and that was the end of it. If they are upset by that then I do apologise.”
Wentworth apologised via Twitter: “Being an avid CPFC fan is no excuse for checking score during council meeting. Apologies for any offence caused.”
