A West Northamptonshire councillor has apologised for a sexist comment he made on International Women’s Day.

At the event at the Northampton Guildhall on Saturday 7, Vice chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Peter York, had reportedly stated that ‘some women should have never left the kitchen’.

A letter sent to the council by the Northants Women’s Empowerment Group revealed that Cllr York also grumbled over too many women being part of the Government’s cabinet.

In a council meeting last Friday, Cllr York, ‘sincerely apologised’ for the comments which he acknowledged have ‘caused serious concerns’. He said his words were ‘inappropriate and capable of causing offence’.

The Northants Women’s Empowerment Group has made a formal complaint about the comments and requested that an investigation is carried out by the council to determine whether Cllr York broke the local authority’s code of conduct, according to the Northampton Chronicle & Echo.

The group’s letter reads: ‘As representatives of a group dedicated to women's empowerment, we find these views abhorrent, but their delivery at an event specifically designed to celebrate women’s achievements makes them particularly damaging.

‘It is a gross betrayal of the spirit of International Women’s Day for a high-ranking council official to use the platform to demean women’s professional contributions’.

During the council meeting, Cllr York said that respect for women has ‘always been a fundamental part of [his] life and values.’

He added: ‘International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to recognise the contributions, achievements and equality of women, and I regret that my remarks detracted from that in any way.’

Martin Henry, Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council, said: ‘The remark made at the International Women’s Day event was wholly unacceptable and I apologise fully for the offence that it would have caused. In no way does it reflect the values of West Northamptonshire Council.’