A senior Reform UK councillor has issued an apology after a social media post highlighted a council employee wearing a transgender flag-coloured lanyard.
Michael Squires, a cabinet member at Leicestershire County Council, faced complaints after sharing an image from a recruitment campaign that featured a staff member wearing a light blue, pink and white lanyard - colours associated with the trans pride flag.
The employee, who was not identified, appeared in a Facebook post promoting vacancies for forklift truck drivers at council depots.
Following a closed-door meeting of the authority’s member conduct panel in May, Squires released a 346-word apology acknowledging the impact of his actions.
“Whilst my intention was to comment on what I saw as a matter of public policy… I recognise that my post was inappropriate in the context in which it was made,” he said.
“I accept that the post involved an identifiable member of staff who was acting in accordance with council policy… I regret any distress or upset this may have caused.”
The conduct panel found the post was likely to have had an adverse effect on both staff and the council’s reputation.
Squires also issued an “unreserved apology” to the employee featured in the campaign and to others who raised concerns.
His remarks came after he objected to the lanyard, arguing it was “not politically neutral” for a public authority setting — a position he said he continues to hold, despite acknowledging he should not have shared the image.
“I got it wrong on this occasion,” he said, adding that he had removed the post as soon as he was asked and had since completed social media and code of conduct training.
However, he maintained that he believed public sector staff should remain politically neutral, while accepting responsibility for the way he had raised the issue.
The case highlights ongoing tensions around visibility and inclusion for transgender people in public life, including the right of individuals to express their identity in the workplace without being singled out.
Campaigners have long argued that symbols such as pride lanyards can play an important role in signalling support, safety and belonging for LGBTQ+ staff and service users.
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