A Stonnington councillor has come under fire after questioning why council staff were including gender pronouns in their email signatures.

In an email to other councillors, Councillor Alexander Lew claimed the practice is political and not “consistent with the need for council staff to remain apolitical”.

Mayor Jami Klisaris responded by suggesting Councillor Lew undergo diversity and inclusion training.

She told Neil Mitchell Cr Lew’s suggestion that putting pronouns in email signatures is a “political statement” is “just not true”.

“It’s protected under discrimination law, and some staff have it and some staff don’t. It’s a decision for each individual,” she said.

“It’s quite offensive to say that someone who chooses to put their pronouns in their email signatures is making a political statement when they’re just expressing who they are.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Stonnington mayor’s view