Code of Conduct Complaint Over Library Book Policy
Reform UK's Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch is facing a new code of conduct complaint from Warwickshire Pride after he stated that books containing "contested gender ideology" should be removed from libraries across the county.
Finch later clarified his remarks, referring specifically to books featuring transgender issues. He asserted that libraries should "not seek to embolden political ideologies," describing such ideologies as "highly charged and polarising," and argued that they should not be "taught to children as pure fact."
He indicated that a new policy would be developed following "a number" of complaints from residents concerning certain children's books.
After Finch's statement on Monday, Warwickshire Pride confirmed it had submitted a formal code of conduct complaint against him.
The BBC has contacted Finch to request clarification on which book titles he was referencing.
Warwickshire Pride criticized Finch's comments, stating they "further marginalised" members of the LGBT+ community.
"The suggestion that books or resources acknowledging LGBTQ+ people somehow undermine neutrality is both misleading and dangerous," Warwickshire Pride said.
Reform councillor Mike Bannister confirmed there was "no indication whatsoever" that library staff had promoted specific literature and assured that the new policy would be "fully discussed" with the libraries team.
In an interview with BBC CWR, Finch emphasized that he was not referring to books about "people's sexuality," but rather those addressing transgender issues. However, he declined to specify which titles concerned him.
"Kids should be taught how to be good people, not if they want to be a boy or a girl - that's completely irrelevant," Finch said.
The complaint from Warwickshire Pride follows an independent investigation that found Finch breached the code of conduct after making public comments that could have endangered a child rape case. Finch retains the right to challenge this verdict, with the process reportedly ongoing.
Additional complaints regarding his portrayal of political rival councillor Jan Matecki as a burglar on social media are also understood to be under investigation.
Reform UK is not the only party raising concerns about children's exposure to gender identity topics. Two months before the last general election, the then Conservative government proposed to prohibit schools in England from teaching pupils about gender identity, although secondary school students would still learn about protected characteristics such as sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
Earlier this month, library staff in Essex, governed by Reform, were instructed not to promote events such as Pride and Black History Month. Staff were told to avoid highlighting events unrelated to day-to-day activities, though the authority stated it would not remove books from shelves.
On Wednesday, Finch echoed the stance of his Reform colleagues in Essex, stating that books about "Black Lives Matter shouldn't have their own stand" within libraries.
In a statement, Finch said his administration would begin work on a "comprehensive policy" to provide parents "peace of mind that their children are not being told to believe one set of political ideas over any other."
He added that the policy would apply not only to libraries but also to all council-owned public spaces.
Finch wrote:
"Warwickshire County Council's libraries should be politically neutral, family-friendly, and not seek to embolden political ideologies."
He further stated that material involving sex, gender, identity, or other social or medical issues should be presented "in an age-appropriate and responsible way."
Finch emphasized that any policy would be developed "thoughtfully and lawfully," adding that the council "should inform and serve residents, not campaign at them."
Warwickshire County Council said it could not comment at this stage, describing the matter as political.
Political Censorship Concerns
Warwickshire Pride questioned why the identities of the LGBT+ community were being treated as "a political ideology rather than the lived reality of thousands of people across Warwickshire."
"The suggestion that books or resources acknowledging LGBTQ+ people somehow undermine neutrality is both misleading and dangerous.
Public bodies should not seek to limit access to information simply because it relates to a minority group or because some people find it uncomfortable.
Libraries should be places of learning, exploration, and understanding, not tools for political censorship."
The group linked its code of conduct complaint to allegations of a "wider pattern of rhetoric" from Finch, calling on him to withdraw his Monday statement and seeking an opportunity to meet with him.
Warwickshire Pride urged the council to "stand firmly on the side of inclusion, equality, evidence-based policy, and the rights of all residents to access information freely and without discrimination."
The local Liberal Democrat group expressed being "very concerned" by Finch's comments and fully supported Warwickshire Pride's statement.
A spokesperson said libraries should be trusted to make independent decisions regarding which books to acquire and display, and that such choices "should not be a choice for any councillor to make."
Group leader Councillor Sarah Boad stated they would "not let Warwickshire go backwards."
Out Out Groups UK also condemned Finch's statement, describing it as a "political attack."
"There is no polite way to say this. We are disgusted.
A child reading a book that contains two mums, two dads, a trans character or a young person questioning their identity is not being indoctrinated.
They are reading about human beings. Libraries exist to provide access to information, knowledge, stories, ideas and experiences.
They do not exist to erase people, because a handful of politicians have decided those people are suddenly 'controversial'."
Labour MP Rachel Taylor stated that parents in Warwickshire do not want Finch dictating what their children can or cannot read.
"George Finch is too young to remember that Section 28 started with censorship in libraries, but his Reform UK bosses know exactly what they're doing pushing this kind of poisonous bigotry.
The council leader should drop this threat of Trumpian censorship and focus on his day job of delivering better services for the people of Warwickshire."
Section 28 was a law passed in 1988 by the then Conservative government that prohibited councils and schools from "promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship." The law remained in effect until 2003.
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