Hamilton City councillor Garry Mallett apologises for gay slurs

Hamilton City Councillor Garry Mallett has apologised for using a gay slur.

A Hamilton City councillor who used homosexual slurs in the council chamber has been forced to apologise this morning.

Garry Mallett reportedly used the words "homos" and "fags" before a community and services committee meeting last week, Fairfax reported.

Yesterday, he said anyone who was offended should get over themselves. But this morning, he apologised at the beginning of the finance committee meeting which he chairs.

"Prior to the recent community and services meeting I made some light-hearted comments to staff referring to the unusual use of pink paper for one of the reports for the meeting," he said.

"Unfortunately some took offence at these comments, which were not directed at anyone in particular.

"I apologise to anyone who was offended by my comments as no offence was intended."

Hamilton Mayor Andrew King said he did not hear the comments at the time but he had made it clear the council did not in any way condone or support any comment which could be taken as a slur on any sector of the community.

He said Mallett he did not intend to offend anyone but accepted the comments had offended some people so apologised prior to the start of this morning's Finance Committee.

"I have reminded all councillors that we have a responsibility to set and maintain standards of behaviour as elected representatives of Hamilton," King said.

Council chief executive Richard Briggs told Fairfax an email raising questions about the alleged comments had been received by the council on Monday. No official code of conduct complaint was laid.

It was understood Mallett made the comments before the meeting began, to members of the governance team, Fairfax said.