A COUNCILLOR who was arrested at a protest has defended his behaviour by saying demonstrators were being “disrespectful” by hanging a banner in front of a statue dedicated to the Durham Light Infantry.

Mark Gilbank, from West Rainton, near Durham, was arrested, and then de-arrested, on suspicion of causing a public order offence, at a protest in Durham on Saturday.

About 40 people had gathered in the Market Place to stage a demonstration against proposals to build two relief roads to the north and west of the city, which had been organised by Durham Road Block.

Cllr Gilbank, who is on West Rainton Parish Council, was accused by protestors of being aggressive towards them, swearing and pushing several people.

The councillor told The Northern Echo he was trying to stop people from putting a banner in front of the DLI statue in the Market Place.

Police were called to the Market Place and arrested cllr Gilbank, removing him from the vicinity and then de-arresting him, which means no inquiries are being made into the incident.

Responding to the allegations, he said: “I was trying to stop them for putting banners over the DLI statue.

The Northern Echo:

The demonstration took place in Durham Market Place on Saturday

“I’m being victimised for protecting and for honouring the fallen soldier by not allowing these guys to demonstrate in a way that was disrespectful.

“It’s disgusting what they were doing.”

He added: “I got pushed and shoved. I wouldn’t say I was being aggressive, I was giving as good as I got I didn’t swear except to repeat the words they said to me.

He added that he was arrested to be taken out of the Market Place and was de-arrested several minutes later.

He added: “I appreciate what the police did.”

The banner was put on two posts, in front of the statue by members of the Faithful Durhams group, which was set up to campaign against the closure of the DLI Museum.

Diane Inglis, who is part of the group and was there on Saturday, said: “We were there to support the Durham Road Block.

“He started on our group about hanging a banner on posts in front of the statue.There was nothing disrespectful about it at all.

“He was definitely being aggressive. He had no right to be pushing people around.”

She added: "We would never touch the statue."

A complaint has also been made to Durham County Council, which is responsible for looking into matters regarding the behaviour of elected members in the county.

Helen Lynch, the authority’s head of legal and democratic services, said: “I can confirm we have received a complaint against a member of West Rainton Parish Council.

“This is being considered in accordance with the local assessment procedure for code of conduct complaints.”

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “Officers arrested one male who was removed from the area and later de-arrested.”