The politician in charge of Warwickshire's libraries has declared himself "pretty upset" at perceptions that Reform UK is criticising staff and insists leader George Finch has been "misinterpreted".

Cllr Finch has launched a review into the operation of Warwickshire County Council's libraries having accused them of "promoting contested gender ideology" in a statement in June.

The comments sparked a backlash, particularly as they did not make clear which elements of the service's work that the leader was unhappy about or whether he had concerns about specific literature.

An emergency protest has since been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon (1 July) to counter the council's plan to ban LGBTQ+ displays and books from Warwickshire's libraries.

More light was shed in Cllr Finch's interview with BBC Coventry & Warwickshire in which he referenced a photo put out by Rugby library featuring the Progress Pride flag, describing it as "divisive" and alleging that "most people from the LGBT community do not agree with it".

What the leader said

"Our libraries should not be promoting that kind of stuff," said Cllr Finch.

"They should be a neutral environment for people to read, learn and do activities, not to be seeing that when you walk in. That is not the job of the library.

"Not just the flag but the books that are there, they shouldn't be in there, especially in the section where they are promoting it.

"If they are in a certain subsection of the library like in the romance area or the biology area or whatever, they can't just be whacked on a promotional stand, which it was, and think that is okay because the county council is not there to do that."

He went on to refer to the "deeper issue" of libraries taking "political stances" and referenced the Black Lives Matter movement.

"It shouldn't have its own little stand," he added. "It should be all history matters, every history matters, not just a specific subsection of the population."

He also distanced himself from accusations or perceptions of homophobia by saying: "I haven't got a problem with anyone's sexuality, whether they're gay or lesbian, I haven't got a problem with that at all."

The review and its timetable

A report that will be considered by the county's communities overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday (July 1) details how staff have since been tasked with laying out the terms of reference for the review "which the leader of the council wishes to commission".

Led by Cllr Mike Bannister, Reform's lead on libraries, Cllr Anne-Marie Sonko who looks after adult social care and health and Cllr Wayne Briggs who oversees children's services and education, the review is set to look at a variety of county council-managed spaces, including libraries, museums, offices and children and family centres.

Current policies and practices will be reviewed in early July before engagement with the public and library visits later in the month.

A report with recommendations will be compiled by the end of September with any changes set to be put to the full cabinet – panel of Reform UK councillors in charge of major service areas – in October.

It follows what the report refers to as "verbal" complaints about displays in libraries with the aim of ensuring council spaces are "welcoming, inclusive, politically impartial and age-appropriate", balancing the wish to "maintain public confidence" alongside statutory and professional obligations.

Disagreement or just different?

In an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Bannister insisted that the professional judgement of staff over which books were appropriate for libraries would not be interfered with but that displays had caused concern.

"This is about what has come to the fore from the public," he said.

"They want reassurance that the libraries are operating with proper controls. Obviously that concerns where things are displayed, how they are accessed and things that may be promoted.

"One of the things that clearly concerns people is whether certain ideologies are being over-promoted over many other organisations that exist in the community.

"We are having a good look at everything. We will ensure that we stay within the law and there is no intention to ban books – that has been flamed up by people who want to make a political point and I wish they would stop it."

Cllr Bannister stressed that not many gripes had been raised formally – "people don't always operate like that" – but that pictures of Pride-related displays in Kenilworth and Rugby had been sent to councillors.

However, he added: "I am pretty upset that there has been any inference that our library staff are acting in any way other than professionally – I have every confidence in our library staff, they do a fantastic job.

"I have been very proud to have worked with them over the past year or more."

Put to him that his leader's comments struck a very different tone, Cllr Bannister replied: "Well that's my feedback.

"With the level of public concern we are entitled, surely, to look at the situation.

"The way to raise any issue of concern is to ensure there is a policy that is agreed, then we all know that all of the library staff will be following it.

"Any concerns raised are probably (down to) the way libraries have operated for many, many years under previous administrations. It is therefore not the fault of library staff if they continue to carry out the practices that came before."

Asked whether he wished Cllr Finch had made his point through similar language, Cllr Bannister said: "I can only speak for myself. In many ways, I think it (Cllr Finch's statement) has been misinterpreted.

"What went before under a Conservative administration, heavily influenced by whoever, the Liberals or the Greens, library staff will go along with as far as they can.

"They promote certain issues, they don't promote every single issue and I think the point George was making was that we need a review to see exactly what we want to do and what is legal."

Cllr Finch has been approached but has yet to confirm whether he intends to field questions on this matter.