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Beloved Lollipop Man Leaves Job After Council Says He Can't High-Five Kids

Beloved Lollipop Man Leaves Job After Council Says He Can't High-Five Kids

Bryan Broom said he didn't want to work in a world where he would constantly have to watch his 'Ps and Qs'.

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison

A much-loved lollipop man has resigned from his job of 20 years after he was told to stop high-fiving children as it 'could be considered 'grooming'.

Bryan Broom, 77, had been seeing school kids safely across roads in Hull for two decades, but after the council warned him against greeting them with a high five, he decided it was time to hang up his hi-vis jacket.

The respected and beloved lollipop man said that he could no longer work in a world where he would constantly have to watch his 'Ps and Qs'.

SWNS

After hearing about his situation, the local community gathered on Bryan's last day manning the school crossing to show their support and shower him with gifts and hugs.

Children from the school handed him leaving presents and pleaded with him not to leave.

Bryan's resignation came after complaints were made about him high-fiving youngsters as they left Kirk Ella St Andrew's Community Primary School in west Hull.

He told the Mirror: "I used to high-five the kids until I was told it could be construed as grooming - that is what the council told me.

"It's rather peculiar because two or three months ago there were pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge high-fiving at a school and I should have sent copies of those to the council.

"It makes me feel sad and I thought if this is what is happening to the world I don't want to be a part of this."

Since parents caught wind of the complaints against Bryan, mums have leaped to his defence and slammed those who have complained to the council about his behaviour as 'pathetic' and 'ridiculous'.

None of the complaints were upheld.

SWNS

In a statement, the council said: "The council had received a number of complaints from parents from parents about the behaviour of Mr Broom.

"These complaints were investigated but not upheld. Mr Broom is choosing to leave of his own accord and we wish him well in the future."

Bryan was dumbstruck about the complaints made, but said that he was thankful for the support that had been shown towards him over the past week and that if he saw everyone who had been kind to him in the pub all at the same time, he would buy them all a pint.

"It means so much to me," he said. "It proves that the majority of people are not into this political correctness and that they are the same as me.

SWNS

"The ordinary people have come to my defence.

"This political correctness has been perpetuated by a small minority of people and in the last couple of days, the majority has proved to me that Mr and Mrs Ordinary are wonderful people and they don't want this political correctness."

Bryan was moved by how many people showed him their support on his last day on the job and said that he is now off on holiday for a week.

"It has been fantastic," Bryan said. "I expected a bit of a fuss but it's gone viral and I love it.

"I've had chocolate, gin, wine - you name it, and I've had some really nice messages from children saying 'please don't go.'

"It's been wonderful and I feel so humbled that people think so fondly of me."

WATCH A MAN HIGH-FIVE A RACCOON:

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, Traffic