Meat back on the menu in the Guildhall following ‘ham sandwich gate’

Meat was back on the menu at the Guildhall last night after being removed from receptions in the Mayor’s Parlour earlier in the year.

New city mayor Mel Allcott, who was elected during the meeting at the Guildhall, made only a subtle reference to ‘ham sandwich gate’ when she invited attendees to the Mayor’s Parlour afterwards.

“There will be a variety of refreshments to suit all dietary requirements,” she said, to audible giggles around the room.

Cllr Allcott’s predecessor, Louis Stephen, caused a stir back in February when he banned meat from gatherings in the Mayor’s Parlour because of the climate emergency.

Cllr Stephen, who was the city’s first Green mayor, had also said plant-based food is more inclusive as many non-Christians do not eat pork.

“It is the mayor’s prerogative to decide what food and drink will be offered,” he argued at the time.

“I’m mindful of the gravity of the climate emergency, and as leader I think it’s right to highlight the importance of all of us doing what we can to mitigate the seriousness of the emergency, by offering plant-based food.

“Additionally, in sharp contrast with the old practice of offering things like ham sandwiches, plant-based food is far more inclusive. Everyone can eat plant-based food but many non-Christian people don’t eat pork.”

Newly-appointed council leader Lynn Denham confirmed after yesterday’s (Tuesday, May 14) meeting that there were meat options at the buffet being served in the Mayor’s Parlour.

Cllr Stephen’s meat ban caused plenty of controversy, with Tory councillor Alan Amos labelling it “discrimination” and “another example of the tyranny of the illiberal left”.

Worcestershire farmers also defended their “climate-friendly” farming methods, with Worcestershire NFU chair Oliver Surman saying: “Whether it’s growing asparagus in the Vale of Evesham or rearing livestock in the Malvern Hills, we are all trying to do it as sustainably as possible.”