An independent investigation found the youngest Wagga City councillor guilty of breaching code of conduct provisions when he verbally abused security guards after they refused him entry to the club.

Last night he pre-empted the recommendations put to council that he make a public apology, and read a prepared letter to the meeting.

“I would just like to use this opportunity to express my sincere and uninhibited apology for my behaviour,” he said.

“The behaviour is completely unacceptable.

“Basically I stuffed up and it won’t happen again.”

Some councillors thanked Cr Uden for his apology, but took the opportunity to give him a public dressing down for his actions.

Also reading from prepared notes, Councillor Donna Argus said the council’s reputation had been severely damaged and any councillor who didn’t agree with the recommendations from the investigator that Cr Uden be censured was “condoning the behaviour”.

“He has said before he has committed a sin, however this is not a church, I am not a priest, and I am not in a position to absolve him.”

The recommendations passed by council last night include that Cr Uden be censured, forced to make a public apology, and undergo mentoring.

Even before the matter was officially addressed, Cr Uden was treated to barbed words from his colleagues.

When speaking on a matter related to the Wagga Airport, Cr Uden asked his colleagues if they had read the report.

“I was too busy reading the Capital Nightclub report,” Councillor Alan Brown quipped, before being pulled up on a point of order and apologising.

Councillor Garry Hiscock last week called for Cr Uden to be sacked, and last night sat next to him in the council chambers before telling the meeting “Cr Uden has a lot to learn, a hell of a lot.”

Councillor Kevin Wales came to Cr Uden’s defence, saying he feels he learned a lot from the experience.

“I give him great credit for making this apology ... I think every one of us has overstepped the line ... and we need to remember that,” he said.

Fol low @Pat_Wood