A furious mother has described how her autistic son was ‘pushed to the back of the stage’ for a town’s Christmas lights switch on – despite being told he would press the switch alongside Santa.
Gemma Keir said 13-year-old Logan – who appeared in publicity posters for the event – was ‘forgotten’ as dignitaries became excited about getting selfies with hip hop group So Solid Crew, who provided entertainment for the crowds.
The teenager, who has 22q deletion syndrome, which can cause learning difficulties and heart problems, was so upset he was unable to sleep afterwards and kept asking whether he would be returning to switch on the lights.
Labour-run Stevenage Borough Council in Hertfordshire has now ‘triggered a full investigation’ – and had to deny rumours that the person who pressed the button had been a friend or relative of the mayor.
Mrs Keir, who is the author of a book series called The Abilities in Me which explains disabilities to children, fumed: ‘When we got there, So Solid Crew were still on stage.
‘[A member of the council’s town centre team] said “Just go to the back of the queue”.
‘By the time we got onto the stage, we just about fit on at the back.
‘They started doing the countdown. They were counting the numbers and Logan was looking up at me saying “Where’s the button, mummy, where’s the button, where’s Santa?”.
Stevenage dignitaries and members of rap group So Solid Crew were on stage for the town’s Christmas lights switch on – leaving autistic Logan Keir, 13, at the back, even though he was meant to press the button, his mother claimed
‘And there’s all these people wearing gold chains standing in front of him and not one person has thought to acknowledge this child behind them. He was forgotten about…
‘Everyone was going so crazy over So Solid Crew. The town managers were saying “Let’s get a selfie with them” but no one acknowledged Logan at all.
‘Even Santa, he just didn’t have any acknowledgement for Logan at all.’
She added: ‘Logan was so upset. He didn’t sleep that night.
‘He got up the next day and asked “When are we going back to press the button?”.
‘It’s a big thing for Logan. We’d been preparing him since it was confirmed in September.’
A choir from The Abilities In Me foundation, which was set up by Mrs Keir and is chaired by Logan’s father, Max, also performed for the public on the night.
But Mrs Keir claimed a member of the town centre team was ‘shouting at them to hurry up on stage’, despite some being in wheelchairs.
Logan was ‘unable to sleep’ following the disappointment on Saturday. He had been excitedly preparing himself for switching on the lights since September
Logan’s mother, Gemma, who has written books and set up a foundation for disabled children, said even Santa ignored her son
It has since been confirmed that the town centre lights were illuminated by the winner of a council-run ‘Dear Santa’ competition.
Logan, who has half a million TikTok followers, has been offered the opportunity to turn on lights by other councils in the county.
But his mother said while it was a ‘really nice gesture’, he was ‘meant to do his own hometown’.
The town’s mayor, Nazmin Chowdhury, has since posted a copy of an event plan she was given by council staff which failed to mention Logan.
She said: ‘Every mayor receives an engagement form from the event organiser to confirm what is expected of them when they are invited to attend an event.
‘I was only advised of a Dear Santa competition winner joining us on stage.
‘Had I known that Logan and his mum would also be on stage, then I would have ensured that they were at the front to do the light switch on, alongside the Dear Santa winner.’
Cllr Coleen De Freitas, who is the council’s cabinet member for equalities and young people, said: ‘I am sorry to learn about Gemma and Logan’s experience at our Christmas Light Switch on. They were invited to be this year’s special guests to switch the lights on.
The teenager was featured on a poster advertising the event on Saturday which stated he and his mother would be making a ‘guest appearance’
The town’s Christmas lights switching on ceremony took place on Saturday
‘It was not our intention to offend or ignore them and, for that, I wholeheartedly apologise on behalf of the council.
‘I will contact Gemma to listen to her views and to say sorry for not taking time to ensure Gemma and her son were visible and able to carry out their role.
‘Lots of people came to the event to support Gemma’s work leading The Abilities in Me foundation.
‘As the Cabinet Member responsible for equalities and young people, I want to ensure the council takes the necessary steps to avoid experiences like this in the future.
‘An investigation is currently underway to review what happened at this year’s event.’
The local authority’s town centre team also posted a statement on Facebook saying they were ‘really sorry’ about what had happened.
They added: ‘The day had various challenges given the weather, with scheduling running behind time.
‘All guests on stage were advised to arrive ten minutes in advance backstage and we’re sorry you were queued up at the back.
‘We’re reviewing the amount of people on stage, which was more than intended.’
The town’s Labour MP, Kevin Bonavia, who was also at the event, said he had spoken to the family and to the council to ‘ensure lessons are learned’.