Council Chief rebukes councillor’s “offensive” outburst during discussion on community recovery

Inset: Valerie Watts, chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and DUP Alderman Rueben Glover.

A row erupted during a charged meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday evening, July 21, as DUP Alderman Reuben Glover made what some believe to be highly controversial remarks that prompted a swift and stern rebuke from the Chief Executive, Valerie Watts.

The monthly meeting opened with a discussion of the local authority’s response to the recent spate of public disorder that rocked parts of Ballymena and Larne earlier this summer, sparking widespread concern over community relations, misinformation on social media, and rising tensions between residents and newcomers.

Chief Executive Valerie Watts, opening the debate, told councillors she had spent several weeks “reflecting deeply” on the recent disturbances and proposed a “coordinated and strategic recovery plan” to address both immediate issues and underlying causes.

“I must express my very, very deep concern following the recent incidents of public disorder in Ballymena and indeed in Larne, which have significantly impacted our communities,” she said.

“We need to work collaboratively with the Northern Ireland Executive… if we are to collectively address the causes of this disorder and work towards a shared vision of a better future.”

Ms Watts stressed the importance of inclusivity, community healing, and the need for a robust communications strategy, particularly in the wake of misinformation spread through social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube during the unrest.

But the tone of the meeting changed sharply when Alderman Glover intervened, launching into a lengthy and at times confused tirade which initially seemed spurred by his exclusion from a previous meeting of council and community representatives.

He questioned the inclusion of community groups in recent meetings with residents—particularly The Carson Project—and alleged that councillors had been excluded.

“Is this going to include councillors, and councillors only?” he demanded. “Because then you come to a conflict of interest, in my opinion, if you know what I’m saying.”

Attempting to clarify, Ms Watts replied:

“Sorry Councillor Glover, I don’t know what you’re saying…”

But Alderman Glover cut her off:

“I’ll explain it very simple then. That day you went down, you had The Carson Project there, which was Cyril Rainey and Rodney Quigley… So the question I asked, if we’re going to have a conflict of interest of stuff, so it’s up in the air for everybody to come.”

He continued:

“To me, him being there was a conflict of interest, ‘cause there were people asking me that, ‘Why’s he there, why’s he allowed to go and you’re not allowed to go?’”

Ms Watts responded that she had not invited The Carson Project and reiterated that no one individual or organisation should dominate the recovery process.

But it was Glover’s next statement that drew gasps in the chamber and sparked a direct and unambiguous condemnation from the Chief Executive.

“Number one, they don’t want anymore foreigners in their area, and number two, because they don’t want their area wrecked by what went on,” Glover said, claiming to be quoting constituents in Clonavon.

Ms Watts, taken aback, replied firmly:

“I’m sorry, Councillor Glover, you and I will have to have a difference of opinion on that matter. I will not associate myself with any racist comments.”

Unease across the chamber

Following Ald. Glover’s remarks, a number of councillors expressed support for the Chief Executive’s vision for a broader, inclusive recovery process.

DUP Alderman Billy Ashe agreed that a plan was needed but argued the council must first examine its own internal structures:

“I agree 100% with the Chief Executive that we need a recovery plan. However, I believe it needs to be done in here first… If we’ve learnt anything from The Troubles in the past – keep ignoring people to your peril.”

Alliance Councillor Chelsea Harwood supported the recovery plan but raised a pointed concern:

“I didn’t however hear you mention anything about any meetings with those residents of the borough who were forced from their homes by a lynch mob… Have you met with any of those communities?”

Ms Watts replied:

“I haven’t met with any of those residents because I am unaware of where those residents actually are at that moment. However, we have had a fair deal of correspondence from the Romanian Embassy, and we are dealing with the Romanian Embassy with some of those issues.”

Alliance Alderman Robert Logan also criticised the Executive’s inaction:

“There are things that the Assembly should be dealing with in terms of legislation, which they just kick the can down the road year after year.”

Formal motion for ministerial support

Ulster Unionist Alderman Andrew Wilson proposed that the council formally write to the First and deputy First Minister seeking support in establishing a borough-wide recovery framework:

“Given that they have the lead for community relations and they have the associated budget with this, I would like to propose that idea…”

Sinn Féin Councillor McKeown seconded the proposal, which passed with broad support.

But the elephant in the room remained Glover’s remarks.

Background: The Ballymena disorder

In recent months, Ballymena has seen multiple nights of unrest in areas such including Clonavon and Harryville, with reports of intimidation, anti-social behaviour, and attacks on homes. The violence has been widely condemned and is believed to be linked to growing community tensions around housing, migration, and economic hardship.

Community tensions and frustrations boiled over following the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the town by two foreign nationals.

In the weeks following, local sources confirmed to the council that some Eastern European families were relocated after being threatened. Social media has been awash with misinformation, further inflaming the situation, with TikTok livestreams and unauthorised “citizen journalism” mentioned by the Council Chief Executive as contributing to the confusion and fear.

“We need to recognise the role of social media… and the circulation of misinformation,” Ms Watts said. “There needs to be factual messaging.”

She called for a recovery plan aligned with existing “peacebuilding, community cohesion and socioeconomic strategies, emphasising the need for long-term, all-agency commitment.”

What happens next?

Council officers are expected to begin work on drafting an outline recovery plan in coordination with Executive departments, subject to approval.

The future stability of Ballymena’s community—and the credibility of its elected leaders—may hinge on how Mid and East Antrim Borough Council handles the distinction between legitimate constituent concerns and inflammatory rhetoric in the weeks to come.