Maldon businesses have said they are "disappointed" with the outcome of a Maldon District Council (MDC) investigation into alleged "homophobic" comments made about the Pride flag at a Maldon Town Council (MTC) meeting earlier this week.

At the meeting, Councillor Tony Shrimpton said: "When you're talking about same-sex weddings, you're not talking about weddings."

In a letter addressed to Maldon town councillors, 26 local businesses said they were "absolutely shocked to see the blatant homophobic and outdated comments made by Councillor Shrimpton and others" in the meeting.

They added: "The Pride flag is about inclusivity - it shows that love has no gender or sexual orientation."

In response to complaints, MDC's monitoring officer said: "Councillor Shrimpton has agreed that he should not have used his position as a town councillor to express his personal reservation about same-sex weddings not being weddings and will make a statement to that effect at the next full council of the town council in September."

Business leaders have now expressed their "disappointment" with the response.

In an open letter, Mrs Salisbury's Tea Rooms said: "There has been no apology from Mr Shrimpton or the town council for the behaviour and comments during that meeting.

"Naturally, we are disappointed with the result and at the very least an apology should have been issued."

It added: "Maldon residents and business owners will keep fighting back."

Allison Gray, owner of boutique Willow and Fox, said: "I feel it's disgraceful for a public figure representing our town to say such comments.

"I'm also disappointed in the outcome of the investigation and feel both MDC and the town council should have ensured there was a public apology.

"The vast majority of Maldon High Street businesses do not support Tony Shrimpton's comments and support inclusivity.

"We are a close network of businesses and stand together on this matter."

The investigation follows comments made during a meeting of MTC's finance and general purposes committee on Monday evening, in which members debated a request from the Friends of Moot Hall Charitable Trust to fly a Pride flag during Pride Week at the venue, which is used for a number of weddings and civil ceremonies.

The Trust has a 25-year lease on Moot Hall, at 41 High Street, which is owned by MTC.

Councillors voted to purchase the flag on behalf of the Trust to be flown during Pride Week in June, but refused to allow it to be flown for weddings at the venue.

Councillor Jeanette Stilts said: "I think we're setting a precedent if we fly it at weddings, because then why aren't we flying flags for other people?"

Councillor Tony Shrimpton said: "I'm happy about the flag being flown during Pride Week.

"I'm not very keen on calling same-sex weddings weddings.

"When you're talking about same-sex weddings, you're not talking about weddings."

Following the latest open letter, town mayor Councillor David Ogg said: "I offer my sincerest apologies to all local residents and business owners and especially to those who have taken the trouble to express their concerns openly via social media for the offence caused recently by comments made by one councillor at a recent meeting.

"As those who attended the finance committee meeting, the comments made by Councillor Tony Shrimpton which have caused so much dismay were his own personal views, and not the view of the town council, nor of the other members who were present."

He said that all town councillors will be offered equality and diversity training.

Businesses across the High Street are planning to fly Pride flags and posters in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community next week.