A councillor has been criticised for knitting while answering questions at a meeting. Monmouthshire council's cabinet member for resources Rachel Garrick was condemned on social media after another councillor posted footage from Thursday's scrutiny committee. In response, Ms Garrick has called for more understanding of disabilities.
Conservative opposition leader Richard John tweeted that the Labour councillor had brought the council into "disrepute" for knitting when she was asked about her proposals for £11million cuts to services. But Ms Garrick, who represents the Caldicot Castle area, said knitting helps her focus in the same way fidget toys do for some people.
Ms Garrick, who had attended the meeting remotely, told WalesOnline: "[Knitting] allows me to be present in the moment without my brain concentrating on the chronic pain I experience due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and osteoarthritis in my cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as my sacroiliac joint. At the moment, it also serves to settle my mind during a period of stress whilst I am supporting my mother.
