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Devon councillor launches legal challenge over sex education row and council sanctions
Overview
Michael Fife Cook, leader of the Reform UK group on Devon County Council, has launched a legal challenge through the Free Speech Union against sanctions imposed on him by the council's standards committee. The sanctions followed emails in which Fife Cook questioned council officers' safeguarding integrity after an 'Out There Queer Fest' family event at Exeter Library featured sex education objects and anatomical models. Represented by legal firm Sharpe Pritchard, Fife Cook argues the decision was irrational, breached his human rights, and amounted to silencing elected representatives.
Key points
- Michael Fife Cook is challenging sanctions imposed by Devon County Council's standards committee following a dispute over a library sex education event.
- The controversy arose after the 'Out There Queer Fest' at Exeter Library featured anatomical models of genitalia at a family event in October 2025.
- Fife Cook questioned whether council officers could be trusted with child safeguarding, leading council directors to file a code of conduct complaint.
- The standards committee found Fife Cook breached codes regarding courtesy, respect, and bringing the council into disrepute, though he was cleared of bullying.
- Represented by Sharpe Pritchard and supported by the Free Speech Union, Fife Cook is seeking an apology and threatening a judicial review.
- Devon County Council stated it would not comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.