A contentious motion by Reform councillors to consider how members who make "controversial, offensive, shocking or provocative comments" are protected has been approved.
Reform councillors at Norfolk County Council said their call for a review of the authority’s constitution to recognise that remarks should not be "discouraged simply because some people find them offensive, unpopular or controversial" was to highlight the importance of freedom of expression.
But political opponents said it could make political debate "more hostile" and questioned whether it was motivated by a desire to dodge standards complaints for comments made, including on social media.
The motion called for a forthcoming review of the council's constitution to consider how Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights - which protects the rights of freedom of expression - relates to the code of conduct for councillors.
The code of conduct outlines how councillors are expected to behave and is used to determine whether their actions have breached it, which can lead to sanctions.
The motion was proposed by Reform councillor Jaden Lister, who said: "In order to be able to think, you have to risk being offensive. That is life, that is fact.
"As a young man, I see every single day that our freedoms and liberties are eroding before our very own eyes.
"We live in a country where we imprison more people for hate speech than Russia.
"Free speech is for all, not for the privileged few."
Green councillor Tom Ludson questioned whether the aim of the motion was to "subvert standards complaints."
Conservative group leader Kay Mason Billig said Article 10 was already part of the law, so there was no need to restate it in the council's constitution.
She asked Reform councillors: "What is it that you want to say that you believe you cannot do today?
"We are here to do a job, not to cover our backsides from criticism."
Towards the end of the debate, proposer Mr Lister revealed that Mrs Mason Billig previously lodged a standards complaint - which he termed a "love letter" - about one of his social media posts, which showed her holding a Rainbow Alliance sign under the headline 'Wokeism over Conservatism.'
The council's monitoring officer - who investigates complaints - deemed there was no need to take the matter any further.
Reform’s motion was agreed at Tuesday’s (July 21) full council meeting, with 45 votes for, 22 against and 10 abstentions.
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