A COUNCILLOR made a public apology after making potentially-offensive remarks about a proposed LGBT-themed mural near a children's play area.

His comments came at a Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council meeting earlier this month to discuss, among other things, a plan to paint a mural on a wall in Pocket Park on Sparrow Lane.

The council debated whether it was something they would allow and there was some dispute over where the mural could be painted. At that point, Coun Michael Cotton made a remark he later regretted.

Mayor Steve Walls, who chaired the meeting told the Adver: “He said ‘is it quite the right place this sort of thing?’as in the right place to display something about LGBT matters.

“People said ‘of course it is, we are inclusive’. The council is LGBT-friendly and we have training for councillors to ensure that this is the case.

“He had to make an apology. We liked the mural but thought the park was not quite the right place for it. We want the mural to be in a location where it is seen by as many people as possible and safe from graffiti.

“A number of suggestions were made for other locations but we are still looking into them and have not made a final decision yet.”

Coun Cotton asked for the following statement to be posted on the town council’s Facebook page on the morning after the meeting. It read: “At the Town Council meeting, I made a statement about the colours on the proposed mural to be painted in Royal Wootton Bassett. I wish to categorically state that I do not have any animosity towards the LBGT community and none was intended. I apologise for any offence caused, it was certainly not intended.”