Reform UK's Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch is to face another code of conduct complaint. this time from Warwickshire Pride, after he said books containing "contested gender ideology" should be removed from libraries in the county.
Later referencing books featuring transgender issues, he said libraries should "not seek to embolden political ideologies", which he said were "highly charged. polarising", saying they should not be "taught to children as pure fact".
Finch said a new policy would be developed after receiving "a number" of complaints from residents regarding some children's books.
Following his statement on Monday, Warwickshire Pride said it had submitted a formal code of conduct complaint against Finch.
The BBC has contacted Finch to ask which titles of books he was referring to.
Warwickshire Pride said his comments "further marginalised" members of the LGBT+ community.
"The suggestion that books or resources acknowledging LGBTQ+ people somehow undermine neutrality is both misleading and dangerous," it added.
Reform councillor Mike Bannister confirmed there was "no indication whatsoever" that staff had promoted specific literature. promised that the new policy would be "fully discussed" with the libraries team.
In an interview with BBC CWR, Finch said he was not referring to books about "people's sexuality",. rather those featuring transgender issues.
However, he refused to be drawn on which titles he was concerned by.
"Kids should be taught how to be good people. not if they want to be a boy or a girl - that's completely irrelevant," he said.
The Warwickshire Pride complaint comes after an independent investigation foundFinch breached the code of conductafter he made public comments. could have jeopardised a child rape case.
He has the right to challenge that verdict, with the process understood to be ongoing.
Other complaints about his portrayal of political rival councillor Jan Matecki as a burglar on social media are understood to remain under investigation as well.
Reform are not the only party to question children's exposure to the idea of gender identity.
Two months before the last general election, the then Tory government proposed to stop schools in Englandfrom teaching pupils about gender identity, although secondary-school children would learn about protected characteristics, such as sexual orientation. gender reassignment.
Earlier this month, library staff inEssex, run by Reform, were told not to promote eventssuch as Pride. Black History Month.
Staff there were instructed to not highlight events unrelated to day-to-day activities,. the authority said it would not be removing books from shelves.
On Wednesday. Finch echoed the stance of his fellow Reform councillors in Essex, saying that books about "Black Lives Matters shouldn't have their own stand" within libraries.
In a statement. the council leader said his administration would begin work on a "comprehensive policy" that would give parents "peace of mind that their children are not being told to believe one set of political ideas over any other".
He added that it would apply not only to libraries but to all council‑owned public spaces.
Finch wrote: "Warwickshire County Council's libraries should be politically neutral, family-friendly, and not seek to embolden political ideologies."
He added that material involving sex, gender, identity or other social or medical issues should be presented "in an age‑appropriate. responsible way".
He said any policy would be developed "thoughtfully. lawfully", adding that the council "should inform and serve residents, not campaign at them".
In a statement, Warwickshire County Council said it could not comment at this stage, describing it as a political matter.
A statement from Warwickshire Pride questioned why the identities of the LGBT+ community were being treated as "a political ideology rather than the lived reality of thousands of people across Warwickshire".
It said: "The suggestion that books or resources acknowledging LGBTQ+ people somehow undermine neutrality is both misleading and dangerous.
"Public bodies should not seek to limit access to information simply. it relates to a minority group or because some people find it uncomfortable.
"Libraries should be places of learning, exploration, and understanding, not tools for political censorship."
The group said its code of conduct complaint was linked to allegations of this being a "wider pattern of rhetoric" from Finch, calling on him to withdraw Monday's statement. also seeking an opportunity to meet with him.
The statement said: "We urge Warwickshire County Council to stand firmly on the side of inclusion, equality, evidence-based policy,. the rights of all residents to access information freely and without discrimination."
Out Out Groups UK also criticised Finch's statement, calling it a "political attack".
It said: "There is no polite way to say this. We are disgusted.
"A child reading a book that contains two mums. two dads, a trans character or a young person questioning their identity is not being indoctrinated.
"They are reading about human beings. Libraries exist to provide access to information, knowledge, stories, ideas and experiences.
"They do not exist to erase people, because a handful of politicians have decided those people are suddenly 'controversial'."
Labour MP Rachel Taylor said parents in Warwickshire did not want Finch telling them what their children could or could not read.
She said: "George Finch is too young to remember that Section 28 started with censorship in libraries,. his Reform UK bosses know exactly what they're doing pushing this kind of poisonous bigotry.
"The council leader should drop this threat of Trumpian censorship. focus on his day job of delivering better services for the people of Warwickshire."
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