The perils of Zoom! Hilarious moment Labour councillor calls Allerdale mayor a ‘daft cow’ during video meeting before realising he wasn’t on mute
- Alan Smith branded Allerdale Mayor Hilary Harrington a ‘daft cow’ on Zoom chat
- The former Labour council leader didn’t realise that his mic was on at the time
- He later apologised for the remark, though he was criticised by councillors
A former Labour council leader was caught calling a mayor a ‘daft cow’ during a Zoom meeting – before realising his mic wasn’t muted.
Alan Smith, who was the leader of the Labour administration in Allerdale, Cumbria until last May, swore before making the mocking comment about mayor Hilary Harrington.
Immediately afterwards, his expression became one of horror as he realised that his fellow councillors had heard him.
Mrs Harrington was experiencing technical difficulties in the lead-up to the remark and said she had to adjourn the meeting briefly to discuss the issues with a council official.
It was then that Mr Smith swore and said: ‘She is right beside you, you daft cow.’
His expression immediately turned to one of panic with his fellow councillor’s later sharing their disgust at his remarks.
Mr Smith apologised when the councillors returned after the delay.
He told Mrs Harrison: ‘It’s been brought to my attention that my microphone was unmuted before we went into the adjournment, I may have made some derogatory remark.
‘I would like you to accept my apology for anything you may have picked up, it was totally out of conduct for me to have my microphone unmuted, I didn’t know I was unmuted. I’m sorry for what happened, take my apologies, please.’
Mrs Harrington was less than impressed with the remarks, thanking Mr Smith for his apology but adding she ‘doesn’t make remarks about people, whether I’m on mute or not’.
She accepted his apology, despite Mr Smith being slammed by other councillors on the Zoom call.
Alan Smith swore before making the mocking comment about mayor Hilary Harrington during the Zoom meeting
Immediately afterwards, his expression became one of horror as he realised that his fellow councillors had heard him
Mayor Mrs Harrington was experiencing technical difficulties in the lead-up to the remark
Later in the meeting, another councillor said: ‘I would just like to say how disgusted I am with the actions of councillor Smith, absolutely disgraceful language for a former leader of the this council.
‘It’s an absolutely disgraceful thing he has done and he should be ashamed of himself.’
Mrs Harrington said she accepted the apology and pleaded: ‘Can we please continue with the motion on the floor before I’m in tears.’
Another councillor called for the meeting to be ended following the remarks.