Somerset Council has issued a formal apology to an arms manufacturer following a vote on the future of Bristol offices which it rents from the council.

The council currently owns a number of commercial investments, including offices at Aztec West 600 near junction 16 of the M5, which are currently occupied by Elbit Systems UK.

Councillors approved a motion at the full council meeting in Bridgwater on Tuesday afternoon (April 23), agreeing to sell the property as soon as possible and to pursue all legal avenues to evict the company, describing it as "a major UK-based provider of weapons to the Israeli Defence Forces".

The company subsequently contacted the council to state that none of the military weapons or equipment it produced was being used to supply Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The council has now withdrawn its statement and apologised to the company – but said it still intended to sell off the premises as soon as possible.

In a statement published on Friday afternoon (April 26), a spokesman said: "On April 23, 2024, Somerset Council voted on a motion in respect of a commercial investment property it owns at 600 Aztec West.

"That motion included a statement that 'the tenant Elbit UK [is] a major UK based provider of weapons to the Israeli Defence Forces, used in the current Gaza catastrophe'.

"Elbit Systems UK Ltd. has contacted us to say this is factually incorrect and they do not supply weapons or military equipment to the Israeli Defence Forces or the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

"The council would like to apologise and withdraw the statement that Elbit Systems UK Ltd. supplies military equipment to the Israeli Defence Forces or the Israeli Ministry of Defence."

The council subsequently clarified that this decision does not reverse the other parts of the approved motion, and that it would continue to pursue the sale of the building.

The council's property and investments executive sub-committee voted on April 15 that it would write to Elbit UK to request an urgent meeting over the future of Aztec West, with a report on the council's legal position due to come back before this sub-committee at its next meeting.

The council's apology has prompted criticism from Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, the Conservatives' shadow portfolio holder for transport and digital, who spoke out against the motion at the full council meeting.

He said: "This debacle will worry the business community, and raises concerns about the integrity of local governance and its potential impact on businesses striving to operate without undue interference.

"Businesses rightfully expect to conduct their affairs without unwarranted intrusion from local authorities, and free from the spectre of public humiliation by councillors.

"Instead of pursuing baseless allegations, councillors should be more focussed on actually emptying our bins, filling our potholes and looking after the services that matter to our residents

"Throughout my time as a councillor I've never encountered a motion so brazenly aimed at targeting an individual or organisation.

"This highlights the urgent need for an impartial investigation to prevent such egregious errors from recurring in the future."