Wiltshire and Salisbury Conservative councillor Mary Douglas stripped of front bench role

Councillor Mary Douglas, member for Salisbury St Francis and Stratford, was today removed from the portfolio for social mobility and skills, "with immediate effect".

READ MORE: Salisbury Pride UK grant not supported by Wiltshire councillor

Council leader Philip Whitehead said: “I have taken the decision to remove Cllr Mary Douglas as Portfolio Holder for Social Mobility and Skills. I would like to thank her for her work during her time as Portfolio Holder.

“She will step down from the role with immediate effect but remains a Wiltshire Council councillor.”

As reported, Cllr Douglas's comments came during a call from Pride organisers to put £1,000 towards next year’s event.

In her response to the application, put forward by Salisbury deputy mayor and Pride organiser Caroline Corbin at Salisbury Area Board last Monday, Cllr Douglas said: “I cannot support this.

“I am not saying I do not accept or respect or love people who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) because I do. I support completely their right to make choices, however I do not support those choices themselves, nor the ideology and world view they represent.

“These are wonderful people, well meaning and sincere, but misguided by a powerful ideology.

“I do not want to be a part of promoting this, and I want to be clear this is not just my view, I represent a large number of people, some who are afraid to say something.”

Her comments were met by an angry backlash from both locals and colleagues, with a "shocked" Cllr Corbin describing her as “an embarrassment to the public office who is just not fit for that role anymore”.

Nevertheless, despite the comments and her vote against it, the board agreed to grant the £1,000 asked for by organisers to the June 13 event, which will need £18,000 in total to go ahead.