Police removed members of a public gallery during a "chaotic" council meeting about a new sex education policy. Several women left Gwynedd council chamber in tears after a graphic leaflet was issued by opponents. It claimed the new Welsh Government policy being introduced across Wales would introduce young children to a variety of sexual ideas.
However, the leaflet's claims were rejected by the Welsh Government as "full of misinformation" and "incorrect". A spokesperson said children would "only learn topics that are appropriate to their age and development".
The incident unfolded on Thursday night at the council offices in Caernarfon, in a meeting called for by five Gwynedd councillors. They opposed the policy and said it could have "potentially very significant consequences for both parents and children". Councillors were held back in the chamber at the end of the meeting for "safety reasons".
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The change is a compulsory part of the Relationship and Education curriculum set to be rolled out across schools in Wales from September. It is the statutory guidance for headteachers, governing bodies and LEAs and is subject to a judiciary review later this year.
The meeting came after some parents threatened to withdraw their children from schools amid a campaign by the Public Child Protection Wales group (PCPW). A graphic leaflet distributed by the group alleged that the curriculum could introduce young children to ideas such as "self-stimulation, masturbation, bondage and anal sex", reported NorthWalesLive.
At the meeting, one of the five councillors, Louise Hughes, proposed that the council refer it to scrutiny "as a matter of urgency". She was seconded by another, Gruff Williams. Cllr Hughes said since hearing about the curriculum, she had "not been able to sleep" but had "wanted to open a frank and open discussion".
She addressed the chamber with descriptions of sexual acts and genitalia, during which, she was repeatedly asked to redirect her comments and told she was "out of order". Members of the public gallery loudly clapped and cheered her on, but shouted down and booed councillors who supported the policy. They argued it was for the "protection of children".
Several warnings were given to members of the public who interrupted those speaking in the policy's favour. Defending the policy, councillor Beca Brown, who leads on education, said: "I am totally supportive of the education code set out by Welsh government. I want the children of this county to be confident in creating healthy relationships; confident in setting boundaries, confident in saying no and to be happy in their own skin. Respecting other people and respecting differences in each other is of paramount importance."
There was a a loud response from the public as councillor and teacher Dewi Jones made his passionate address, saying that "misleading information" had been distributed. Chief executive Dafydd Gibbard warned the hecklers: "Any more interruptions and the gallery will be cleared, so that everything feels safe."
Shortly after, a man rose from his seat and shouted in disagreement, prompting others to join in, NorthWalesLive reported. The meeting came to an abrupt stop with several female public members leaving the room crying. Police officers were brought in and, after a short recess, the meeting continued.
A vote was held on Ms Hughes' proposition that the matter be referred for scrutiny, with 19 in favour, one abstention and 30 against. The meeting then ended abruptly, with the public in the gallery cleared by police and council officials, BBC Wales reported. Members of the council remained inside the chamber until the area was cleared.
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