Councillors and members of the local community gathered outside Shire Hall to protest this afternoon (1 July).

The protest comes after the Reform-led council leader, Cllr George Finch launched a review into the operation of Warwickshire's libraries, describing them of "promoting contested gender ideology" in a statement in June.

The protest began at 1.15pm today, ahead of the 2pm Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting at Shire Hall.

One of the protestors, was author Heide Goody who attended alongside individuals from Atherstone library reading group.

Local cuncillors and members of the public attended the protest (image via Nub News)

Goody, who will be talking in today's meeting shared: "We trust the librarians and we don't want anybody to take that trust away from them."

In response to comments from the politician in charge of Warwickshire's libraries and his claims that leader George Finch's comments on libraries had been "misinterpreted" Goody noted: "We have listened to his (Cllr Finch's) radio interview, and that was pretty clear. Clear in that he's operating on the basis of very little information, and yet his prejudice shines through.

"I don't know what he (Cllr Finch) has to say on the matter. I would really like to imagine that he might stand down a little bit, having seen the actual arguments in favour of letting librarians go with the rules that exist currently."

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'Education against the far right' sign (image via Nub News)

Also in attendance was Green Party County Councillor for Warwick South Cllr Nicki Scott.

Speaking to Nub News Cllr Scott shared: "I am here today to protest against an article that's come up in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Resources, which is asking for a review of libraries, and we believe this to be politically motivated.

Cllr went on to address the recommendation put forward by the current Reform-led council that councillors should be allowed to make decisions about what books are allowed to be in Warwickshire's libraries, which she described as being "unacceptable".

Green Party County Councillor for Warwick South Cllr Nicki Scott pictured with 'A People's History of the Anti Nazi League' (image via Nub News)

Ahead of the meeting, Cllr Scott added it will provide the chance for councillors to propose recommendations for the overview and scrutiny committee to consider. In her hand was a copy of 'A People's History of the Anti Nazi League' by Geoff Brown.

When asked about the book, Cllr Scott added: "I've got a number of other books that I've got as props inside, and a wide spectrum of them, not just political books, children's books, fantasy books, because I truly believe that libraries are there to welcome all whatever space, and for people to be themselves."

Protestors gather outside Shire Hall (image via Nub News)

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Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Sarah Feeney, who started her working career in libraries further backed the importance of keeping libraries accessible and open spaces to "all of our community,"

She shared: "I think by pushing people away, by not welcoming them, we are not showing that they are welcome."

"I also support Cllr Sarah Boad's call for a complete cross-party review and people who actually know about libraries as part of the review, in terms of politicians. I am concerned that we have three cabinet members with no background in libraries, directing the review."

The protest began at 1.15pm today, ahead of the 2pm Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting at Shire Hall (image via Nub News)