Leicestershire Reform councillor apologises for trans lanyard post

A senior Reform UK councillor in Leicestershire has issued an unreserved apology after a social media post singled out a county council employee wearing a trans flag-coloured lanyard in a recruitment campaign. Michael Squires, cabinet member for adult social care, said he regretted any distress caused and accepted the post was inappropriate in context.

Key Takeaways

• Michael Squires apologised after highlighting a council worker in a Facebook recruitment image wearing a light blue, pink and white lanyard.
• Two complaints led a member conduct panel to find the post likely harmed staff and the council's reputation.
• Squires removed the post, completed conduct training, and published a 346-word apology on the council website.
• He maintained that public servants should remain politically neutral, but said singling out an individual was wrong.

What did the Leicestershire councillor post about the lanyard?

Michael Squires, Reform UK councillor for the Valley division and Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for adult social care, drew attention to a council employee pictured in an official Facebook campaign. The post focused on the worker's trans flag-coloured lanyard — light blue, pink and white — worn during a drive to recruit forklift truck drivers at the authority's depots.

Squires argued the lanyard was "not politically neutral" and reposted an image that identified the staff member. He told the BBC he accepted he should not have reposted that image, though he stood by his broader argument that taxpayer-funded public servants should avoid political signalling.

Why did Michael Squires apologise?

The councillor's post prompted two complaints, which were considered by a member conduct panel. Squires said he removed the post as soon as he was asked and has since undertaken social media and code of conduct training.

In a 346-word statement published on Leicestershire County Council's website, he offered what he called a "clear and unreserved apology" to the employee and other complainants. "Whilst my intention was to comment on what I saw as a matter of public policy and the presentation of neutrality within public authorities, I recognise that my post was inappropriate in the context in which it was made," he wrote.

He added that the staff member was acting in accordance with council policy and that his comment could reasonably be perceived as personal criticism. "It was never my intention to cause offence or to single out any individual, and I am sorry that my actions had that effect," he said.

What did the council conduct panel decide?

The member conduct panel concluded that Squires's post was likely to have harmed both the individual employee and the wider reputation of Leicestershire County Council. That finding followed the two complaints lodged against him and preceded the formal apology published on the authority's website.

Squires told the BBC he had "reflected carefully" on the standards expected of him as a councillor. He also said he would make "no apology whatsoever" for arguing that public servants, paid by the taxpayer, should remain politically neutral — while accepting that his post had singled out one identifiable worker.

What happens next for the Reform UK councillor?

After removing the original post and completing social media and code of conduct training, Squires published his apology on the council website. In it, he reiterated that the employee had been following council policy and that he regretted any distress his actions caused.

For residents across Leicestershire, how a councillor behaves in public forums can influence confidence in the county council that delivers services from depot recruitment to adult social care. Readers tracking community and property trends can find related coverage in our Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes section.