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Autistic boy dropped from Christmas lights ceremony
Stevenage Borough Council comes under fire
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Monday 1st December 2025 |
In the UK, Stevenage Borough Council has faced significant criticism after Logan Keir, a 13-year-old boy with 22q deletion syndrome and autism, was "forgotten" and sidelined at the town's Christmas lights switch-on ceremony.
Logan, who was confirmed in September to press the button, was instead pushed to the back of the stage while the event's schedule ran behind and the lights were turned on by a 'Dear Santa' competition winner instead.
Logan's mother, Gemma Keir (author of 'The Abilities In Me' book series), said Logan was deeply upset, having been carefully prepared for the event since September.
She added that Logan was ignored by event staff and other dignitaries, including the mayor, who were more focused on other performers.
The council's cabinet member for equalities, Cllr Coleen De Freitas, has apologised for the oversight and promised a "full investigation".
Mayor Cllr Nazmin Chowdhury has also apologised, stating her event plan did not include Logan, and she was unaware of his attendance.
Both were called upon to resign by Reform UK councillors.
Stevenage MP Kevin Bonavia expressed disappointment and vowed to hold the council accountable to ensure "inclusion is not optional" and that this is not repeated with other SEN children in future.
Source: The Comet (UK)
https://www.thecomet.net/news/
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