Inner West councillors behaviour labelled ‘insensitive’ after removing Queen picture during meeting

The handling of the Queen’s portrait at a Sydney council meeting has been labelled as “appalling”, with calls to show more respect.

Two Sydney councillors have become tangled in a furious row after they were accused of being “highly insensitive” when a picture of the Queen was pulled down midway through a meeting this week.

Sydney’s Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne labelled the painting as “redundant” when it was removed from the wall of the chamber by councillor Tim Stephens.

The portrait of the Queen was handed over to the council’s general manager by Mr Stephens.

Mr Byrne was heard saying, “It’s redundant now – it’s not like you’re giving away an asset.”

Inner West councillors removed a picture of the Queen at Tuesday’s meeting.

But Inner West independent councillor John Stomolis hit out at their behaviour.

“It was highly insensitive and disrespectful especially during this time of mourning,” he said.

While laughter was heard from onlookers in the gallery, one female voice also spoke up at the meeting saying the move was “disrespectful”.

Mr Stomolis was critical of Mr Byrne’s behaviour.

“Flippancy like this from the leader of the Inner West community is appalling,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“We have a PM who is running a republican debate but at the same time he is being very respectful, going to the funeral and declaring a public holiday.

“The PM would want the councillors to have the same level of respect.”

Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne.

But Mr Stephens said he meant no “disrespect” by the move and believed removing the picture was appropriate following King Charles’ proclamation.

“In light of the Queen’s passing and the accession of the new King, I thought it appropriate and respectful in a period of official mourning that the Queen’s portrait be removed from display in the Council Chamber,” he said.

The move had a mixed response from the public gallery.

Mr Byrne, who had tabled a motion of condolence for the Queen earlier in the meeting, said the “asset” comment was in response to the general manager’s statement that his wife would like it.

The portrait of the late Queen sat behind the mayor for the rest of the meeting, but was returned to the wall afterwards.

Mr Bryne said advice was being sought on the correct protocol on when King Charles’ picture would be installed.

Originally published as Inner West councillors behaviour labelled ‘insensitive’ after removing Queen picture during meeting