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| Council chief reprimanded over use of n-word | Council chief reprimanded over use of n-word |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The deputy leader of Powys Council has been "severely reprimanded" for using racially offensive language at a council meeting. | The deputy leader of Powys Council has been "severely reprimanded" for using racially offensive language at a council meeting. |
| Myfanwy Alexander used the n-word in a debate about cross-border health services. | |
| She has apologised for using the term, which she said was a "carless word". | |
| Ms Alexander was speaking about the treatment of some patients when they travel over the border to Shropshire for treatment. | |
| The Shropshire Star quoted her as saying: "We are treated like ******* over the border." | The Shropshire Star quoted her as saying: "We are treated like ******* over the border." |
| She added: "Our language and culture is trampled on and it's a very sensitive issue. | |
| "It's not our fault that we don't have a district general hospital to go to." | |
| Ms Alexander told BBC Wales she apologises for using the word and will not resign. | |
| 'Fight prejudice' | |
| "I apologise and accept the reprimand," she said. | |
| "I was quoting from I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings where a black character is refused dental treatment. | |
| "I've not considered resigning from the cabinet because I was campaigning on a very important issue. | |
| "If I'd used the word because I was racist and my mask had slipped I'd have to resign. | |
| "But people who know me will know it was a careless word. | |
| "You should resign for an attitude, not a word." | |
| The councillor said she was using the term to fight prejudice. | |
| "In my ward 60% are Welsh speakers," she said. | |
| "The very old and very young often get very bad treatment (from health workers). I feel passionately about this because people end up feeling stranded." | |
| The matter has been referred to the Public Services Ombudsman. | |
| Council leader Barry Thomas said he had sent Ms Alexander for for equalities training. | |
| "She said she used the vivid language as a way of fighting prejudice and unequal treatment," he said. | |
| Conservative group leader at the council Aled Davies said Ms Alexander was known for her "vivid anecdotes" but use of the word was unacceptable. | |
| "I do not believe Myfanwy is in any way a racist, she has a huge passion for fighting any inequality or injustice but to make a comparison about the treatment of Welsh speaking people by the NHS to the plight of black Americans is extremely offensive," he said. |