A WINSFORD Town councillor refused to stand when addressing the council’s finance committee – stating he will only stand when addressing the mayor – who is also his daughter.

Liberal Democrat Malcolm Gaskill was asked to stand when addressing the chairman of the finance committee, Don Beckett, on Monday, July 20.

But when asked, Mr Gaskill refused, stating that he was only required to stand when addressing the mayor, Ailsa Gaskill Jones.

Mr Gaskill said: “We don’t stand, we only stand for the mayor, I’m very sorry. We’ve checked, and we don’t have to in committee.”

Mr Beckett responded: “We’ve usually done that, but never mind. I think councillors can stand if they wish.”

Labour’s Stephen Burns then stood to clarify the situation to the finance committee.

He said: “I’d just like to say that for the last four years, we don’t have to stand but we have been standing. If members wish to stay seated they can, if they wish to stands they can.”

As Mr Burns returned to his seat, Mr Gaskill said ‘It’s not what protocol says’.

He was then ordered to direct his comments to the chairman.

Mr Gaskill responded: “I’m addressing it to the chair. It’s not what protocol says.”