More needs to be done to create an open and inclusive culture at Hull City Council, the meeting heard
The Guildhall in Hull saw heated debate in the council chamber at this month’s full council meeting
Allegations relating to the behaviour of members of a political party prove that more needs to be done to create an ‘open and inclusive culture’ a councillor has claimed. The call was made at a heated full council meeting amid ongoing back and forth around the resignation of Cllr Maria Coward, the Lord Mayor of Hull.
She quit the Liberal Democrat group and resigned as a Lib Dem member in August, taking to Facebook to announce her news in a shock statement. Although her decision does not affect her role as a councillor for the Boothferry ward or her ceremonial position as Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber, it has shaken up the political establishment on a local level.
In the first full council meeting since her resignation, early remarks captured a mix of surprise and solidarity.
Cllr Duncan Graham (Reform UK – Marfleet ward) asked one of the first questions in the chamber and demanded clarity on safeguarding for women in the council. He said: “Can the leader confirm what steps have been taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of female staff and members at the Guildhall, following the concerns publicly raised about the conduct of members of his group?
“This includes what provision would be made for Guildhall staff who might raise concerns and would wish to request alternative working arrangements while those concerns are considered, and can he confirm whether any such request has been made or granted?”
Cllr Mike Ross (Liberal Democrat – Beverley and Newland, and Leader of Hull City Council) told the chamber: “I do take these matters incredibly seriously. If he [Cllr Graham] has any specific suggestions on this important issue I would urge him to see me, the chief executive or the monitoring officer. Matters relating to council staff are the domain of the chief executive as the head of service.”
A call for ‘tangible action’
More needs to be done to create an open and inclusive culture at Hull City Council, Cllr Sharon Hofman (Labour – Bricknell) told the chamber. She asked: “What tangible action is the Leader of the Council taking to address the concerns raised by the Lord Mayor and to ensure an inclusive and open culture in his group and the council?”
Cllr Ross answered the question by telling the chamber he was saddened by the resignation and said an official statement had made clear the many tangible steps taken to address Cllr Coward’s claims.
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A message of support to the Lord Mayor came from Cllr Daren Hale (Labour group leader – St Andrews and Docklands) who told Cllr Coward ‘we’ve got your back’. He made clear the meeting had been subject to special guidance from the authority’s chief legal officer to avoid libellous or slanderous statements. But he did tell the chamber: “The Lib Dems have got questions to answer.”
In a joint statement released in the days before the meeting Cllr Ross and Cllr Jackie Dad (Liberal Democrat – Holderness) said: “We were both deeply saddened to lose Maria from the team. Just recently, we were celebrating her re-election to the council, and we were happy to put her forward as the Lib Dem nominee for Lord Mayor.
“Maria has made allegations about two separate events. One relates to an argument that occurred in May 2025. This was fully reviewed, first by the Hull Lib Dem Group and subsequently, at our request, by the Regional Liberal Democrats for a fully external independent review. That independent review concluded that an apology from a group member was needed. This was made, and was accepted by the group. All of this occurred before Maria chose to stand for re-election as a Lib Dem candidate.
“The second event relates to Maria’s opinions on a personal matter for a different colleague. This is an entirely personal matter not related to the Lib Dems or Hull City Council, so it would be inappropriate for us to comment. We have always supported and will always support and encourage anyone with serious allegations to come forward so they can be investigated under whichever independent body is most appropriate.”
The Lib Dems’ statement goes on to thank Cllr Coward for her service and states: “We met with Maria to see how we could support her and work with her. Maria instead took the decision to leave the Liberal Democrats. We’ve known Maria for many years, and she was a valued member. We hope she is getting the support she needs at this difficult time for her. We wish her well in her year as the Lord Mayor.”
When the Lord Mayor of Hull quit the city council’s Liberal Dem group she blamed the behaviour of some party colleagues. “This is a decision I have not made easily, but it is the right decision for my health and mental wellbeing as well as for my family,” her Facebook statement at the time revealed.
The lengthy post did not make any specific allegations but made clear her frustration and anger with the local Lib Dem group.
‘I feel alive again’
Cllr Coward was installed as the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber in June of this year. She is due to serve in the role until May 2027.
Following the full council meeting, Cllr Coward stated she would welcome another investigation into her claims and proudly said: “I am a human being, not a chess piece in someone’s game after all. To be quite honest, I am loving being an independent councillor right now – I feel alive again.”
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