by Adam Williams

Colin Carmichael has received his second honour of the new year.

Following an OBE in the new year’s honours list for services to local government, the Canterbury City Council chief executive is also the inaugural recipient of Pride In Canterbury’s Dead Canary Award.

But, the gong has been awarded in jest marking the latest swipe at an apparent lack of support for the district’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the city council.

Pride In Canterbury spokesman Andrew Brettell explained the significance of the award.

He said: “Canary by Jonathan Harvey is a very powerful and important drama produced by the English Theatre Touring Company in 2010. It tells the personal stories of two men through the British gay rights movement from the 1960s to the present day.

“The title is inspired by political activist Peter Tatchell, who once said: 'LGBT people are the litmus test of whether a society respects human rights. We are the Canaries in the mine.”

Mr Brettell (pictured left), from Pier Avenue in Whitstable, saw the play in Brighton with his partner, but admits it is unlikely to grace future schedules at the New Marlowe.

He added: “At the same time as presenting an award to this wonderful play, we’ve introduced The Dead Canary Award. We’ve long stated Canterbury City Council could do much more than it does to support the LGBT community, especially in the culture and the arts.

“Last year the Canterbury tourism marketing office expressed to us an eagerness to attract LGBT visitors to the city. But, when we met with them and they realised the extent of the problem, namely that there is nothing in the city to attract LGBT visitors, they quickly threw in the towel.

“Colin may have been awarded the OBE for good work, but it was certainly not on behalf of the LGBT community. The buck stops with him.”

The city council acknowledged receipt of the award, but declined to comment further.