Not so fair at Horsmonden

A COUNCILLOR has resigned in protest at what he says is continuing parish council discrimination against the Horsmonden Gypsy Horse Fair, held last weekend in Kent.

Kevin Kerrigan stunned his Horsmonden Parish Council colleagues on Monday by storming out of their public meeting, accusing them of discriminating against Gypsies – the largest ethnic minority group in Kent.

The drama centred on councillors' fears they could be held liable for accidents caused by horses racing in streets during the annual horse fair.

They opted to only grant organisers permission to use the village green in return for a written statement guaranteeing the council would not be sued over any accidents.

But Cllr Kerrigan claimed the council was singling out Gypsies because no other hirer was asked for this extra reassurance.

His fears fell on deaf ears and when the motion was approved, he said: "I believe that the council has taken a decision that is discriminatory to a group of people. With regret, I must resign."

To the shock of fellow councillors, he quit on the spot and left the meeting.

Mr Kerrigan, who had been a local councillor since 2003, was adamant he had made the right decision, saying: "I stand by my resignation, absolutely 100 per cent."

Council chairman Neil Robins said: "It was very unfortunate. We had a very lengthy discussion and I feel his decision about his reasons for resigning were wrong, but he is welcome to his own opinion."

Ironically, the row came after event organisers paid for public indemnity insurance for the first time, the meeting heard.

The traditional horse fair has long caused controversy in the village, with arrests frequently made for violence and public order offences. It was banned in 2000, but the Gypsy community succeeded in reestablishing the event in 2006.

Cranbrook neighbourhood sergeant Ray Masters told councillors they were worrying about nothing, adding: "The family who are organising it are very well respected in the (Romany) community. They don't want it to be spoiled."

Listen to this radio report from Horsmonden, the year the fair returned.

[audio]

 Watch last years fair here: