Charities reject council's 'over-cautious' ban on 'brainstorming' phrase

A council has suggested staff stop using the word "brainstorming" and replace it with "thought shower" in case it offends epileptics.

Mental health charities branded the new move, taken by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in Kent, over-cautious and too politically correct.

Amanda Cleaver, spokeswoman for the National Society for Epilepsy, said: "It's basically a case of political correctness gone a step too far.

"There was a similar debate about the word 'brainstorming' three years ago. We carried out a survey to ask our members whether or not they found the term offensive and there was a resounding 'no'.

"People thought it was a great word to describe the coming together and discussion of ideas. It certainly wasn't deemed offensive at all."

Richard Colwill, of mental health charity Sane, said: "We are always in favour of giving some consideration to the sensitivities of people living with mental illness, but perhaps on this occasion this is a slightly excessive move.

"Using brainstorming in the context of a council meeting, I wouldn't imagine would cause offence.

Of the council's favoured term "thought shower" he said: "It's quite funny to be honest, but I don't think it will catch on."

Val Green, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's HR manager, said the proposal was made during a staff training session, but denied any memo had been sent to employees.

She said: "We take equality and diversity issues very seriously.

It's important to us not to offend people and we're sorry if through trying to avoid this we have indeed caused offence to the very people we were trying not to offend. We always strive to do the right thing."