Deputy council leader is suspended by party

THE deputy leader of Melton Borough Council has been forced to step down from his role after allegedly telling an audience he wanted all the women to stand up so he could look at them.

The comment was reportedly made in the closing moments of the Best of Melton Awards event on Friday, as Councillor Leigh Higgins, pictured, who had been presenting the final award of the night, was talking about the effects of the pandemic and how he had missed events.

Debbie Longley, who was at the event at Brooskby Hall to pick up an award on behalf of a friend, said she was outraged when Coun Higgins asked the women in the room to stand up so he could see and praise them on their attire.

She later called him a “sexist tool” and said she was “not there to be ogled by anyone”.

She said: “This was at about 10.30pm and it was the last award, which he was presenting as the deputy leader of the council. He said it was lovely to be back at these kind of events.

“He asked the ladies to stand up and then said it had been a while since he’d seen a sight like that, or something like that.

“I thought I must be missing something. About 20 to 30 women stood up but a few others around me didn’t.

“I don’t think the ones who stood up were quite sure what they were being asked to do. I think they expected all the men to be asked to stand up next or something.”

Debbie, who later made an official complaint, said she heard others commenting on the councillor’s request, and said other people who had attended had later told her they too had made complaints.

In a tweet after the event, Debbie said “some people still live in the dark ages”, and called Coun Higgins an “absolute sexist, chauvinistic tool”. She added: “I am not there to be ogled by anyone!”

Coun Higgins, ward member for Somerby, is being investigated by the Conservative Party, which has suspended him for 21 days.

His website now states he is an independent. The Mercury has been unable to contact him for a comment.

Having been suspended from the Conservative group, he is no longer deputy leader or portfolio holder for growth and prosperity.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “The council has been notified by the leader of the Conservative group that Councillor Leigh Higgins has been suspended from the group for 21 days pending an investigation following comments made at the Best of Melton Awards.

“During this period, the leader has confirmed he will assume responsibility for the growth and prosperity portfolio and Councillor Malise Graham will take up the position of acting deputy leader.

“The council is unable to comment on any investigations currently under way”.

ALLEGEDLY ASKED WOMEN AT AWARDS TO STAND UP SO HE COULD PRAISE THEIR ATTIRE