Former controversial Ferryhill mayor's name to go on roll of honour

Ferryhill Town Councillor Richard Smith resigned as the town's mayor in July after he was publicly criticised for Facebook posts about gay people and Islam.

He held the chains for just two months.

Last week Ferryhill Town Council agreed to add his name to a roll of honour which hangs in the council chamber at Ferryhill Town Hall.

Councillors discussed the wording on the plaque, which lists every mayor since 1985, and agreed it should read Pastor R Smith with the dates he held the position.

Cllr Smith, a pastor with the Immanuel Christian Fellowship, had asked that his plaque includes his pastor title in the same way previous entries have includes Dr and JP.

New Mayor David Farry said as the roll of honour is an historical record there was never any question that his name would feature but that the wording had to be agreed.

But opposition Labour members refused to take part in the discussion, saying they felt the council should could consider whether to include him on the board at all.

Cllr Farry said: "It is an important historical record of who is mayor at those times, it is important that it is correct and that is why we had to agree whether to include the dates.

"He is a pastor and it was agreed to include that title, as previous mayors have been listed with titles before."

Cllr Kath Conroy said: "Richard Smith brought no honour to Ferryhill so his name should not be on there, we were given no opportunity to debate this.

"A record of fact is one thing but this is known as a roll of honour so lots of people we represent, who have spoken to us around the town and on social media, felt he should not be on there. It was their views we were representing."

Cllr Farry accused Labour members of disrespecting the council and position by refusing to take part in the meeting.

He said: "I think it is disrespectful to refuse to take part in an agenda item then go on social media criticising the decision."