A HEATED debate on period poverty resulted in an Isle of Wight councillor storming out of the County Hall chamber last night (Wednesday).

A motion was put before the full council by Independent Green councillor, Michael Lilley, asking members to support the Red Box Project (RBP) which campaigns to raise awareness of period poverty and provide free sanitary products in schools across the Island.

However, Conservative Cllr Chris Whitehouse proposed an amendment to the motion, which removed RBP and said the council would “continue to support initiatives to ensure all students have discreet access to the sanitary products they require”.

Cllr Whitehouse said in doing so, the motion was made gender neutral and would continue to support other projects, beyond the RBP.

However, during a break after the motion was approved, Cllr Lilley shouted at Cllr Whitehouse over the change before storming out of the chamber, visibly upset.

Speaking on the amendment, Cllr Whitehouse said: “It is not the case that nothing is going on already in schools on the Island — infact, a lot already is.

“I find it inconceivable any of our secondary schools, which have hundreds of teenage girls each, would not have had to address this issue on a fairly regular basis.”

Cllr Ian Stephens said the essence of the motion was to raise awareness of the Isle of Wight RBP.

The amendment was approved by a vote of 17 to ten, with four abstentions.

Cllr Lilley said: “I am very upset that the name has been taken out of the motion, and I am very sad we have not fully recognised the Isle of Wight Red Box Project.”

Up to half of women surveyed by Plan International UK last year said they had missed an entire day of school because of their period.

Cllr Lilley said: “We have heard of young women using socks because they cannot afford adequate sanitary wear.”

You can find out more about the Red Box Project here.