A group protesting against council plans for Twickenham riverside gate-crashed the Mayor-making ceremony at York House on Tuesday evening.

Campaigners from the Riverside Action Group (RAG) and Twickenham Riverside Village group have put together a brief in response to designs from architect Quinlan Francis Terry.

Deputy leader of Richmond Council Geoffrey Samuel was allegedly overheard by opposition councillors referring to the group as “geriatrics,” a claim he denies.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Lib Dem councillors Martin Elengorn and Ben Khosa joined the protest

Liberal Democrat Councillor Alexander Ehmann claimed Cllr Samuel said: “If 35 geriatrics is all they can muster, then forget them.”

Cllr Samuel, who is in his 80s, said he had used the term “elderly”, rather than “geriatric,” but stood by the rest of the quote.

The Conservative councillor said: “There are 20,000 people who live in and around central Twickenham and there was an enormously well-publicised consultation [around the riverside plans].

“That they could muster only 35 people, mostly elderly and political activists, is an indication of the reality of the situation.

“I believe we will meet the criticisms of ordinary people when the final plans are displayed in July.”

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Councillor Alex Ehmann: Wants an apology from Cllr Geoffrey Samuel

Cllr Ehmann said the remarks made about the campaigners were symptomatic of a “Tory disdain towards anyone who dares to speak against their political orthodoxy."

He asked for an apology from Cllr Samuel and added: “I and other Councillors clearly heard Councillor Samuels’ “geriatric” slur and claims that he used any lesser terms are revisionism of the highest order.

“The use of the word “geriatric” to describe a mixed-age group of peaceful protestors was inaccurate, offensive and trivialised their legitimate challenge to the Conservative Council’s inappropriate plans for Twickenham Riverside.”