From the Newham Recorder’s report of last night’s cabinet meeting:
In other business, councillors agreed there was no need “at the present time” for new Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the borough.
Discussing the matter, deputy mayor Cllr Lester Hudson joked that he would like to know the address of the person who “made the objective”.
“I think what Lester is saying is that we would be very happy to set up a site right next to their house,” Sir Robin added.
I can’t quite believe they actually said that – out loud – in a public meeting.
And thought it was funny.
UPDATE (20/03/2016)
On Friday evening Lester Hudson issued a statement to councillors claiming he had been misquoted in the Recorder story:
Deputy Mayor Councillor Lester Hudson has today rebutted a Newham Recorder online story over the misreporting of part of a debate at Cabinet on Thursday in connection with new gypsy and traveller accommodation in the borough.
The rebuttal statement issued to the Recorder by Councillor Hudson reads:
“The local newspaper account of this exchange is simply wrong. I was absolutely serious when I asked to understand more about objectors to our approach, not the objective.
“I am proud of the fact that Newham Council has previously established an authorised public site for Gypsies and Travellers and has made a detailed analysis of the needs of these communities locally.
“Other local authorities could learn much from Newham’s approach and should do much more to help those communities. I wanted to know whether the local authority of any objector had made a significant commitment to Gypsies and Travellers as Newham Council has. I would be happy to see a dedicated public site for Gypsies and Travellers established by every local authority in the country.”
Notably absent from this statement is any comment on what the mayor said, much less a denial.
forestgatedotnet 
Hear the one about a blackman and a scotsman cracking a joke about gipsys?…
is the recorder lying .was this recorded in townhall ,will there be an enquiry ,will anyone from the labour party say anything to rw about his conduct in a public arena ,i think that NO is the most likely answer to this outbreak of the latest pile of doo doo from our politicians .please someone make them resign and go away so we can get some decent values back in our borough .