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Northants councillors back campaign against politician abuse

Oliver Conopo/BBC Man with short white hair, wearing dark glasses and anorakOliver Conopo/BBC
Labour councillor Mark Pengelly told the meeting that councillors needed more protection

Councillors have told a meeting they have faced death threats, physical attacks and threats to blow up council buildings.

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) agreed to back a campaign aimed at preventing abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives.

One councillor said he had to arrange police protection following a death threat.

Another said local politicians needed training on ways to protect themselves.

A recent investigation shared by the Local Government Association (LGA) found that 88% of councillors who responded to its survey experienced abuse, with 98% of those claiming to face abuse on multiple occasions.

North Northamptonshire councillors shared their own experiences as the authority debated whether to back an LGA campaign called "debate not hate", which is designed to prevent abuse and intimidation towards members of local authorities.

The LGA's campaign includes a toolkit to help councils raise awareness of the issue and pressure the government for more action to protect councillors, including a new law to keep their home addresses private.

North Northamptonshire Council Man with short grey hair wearing suit and tieNorth Northamptonshire Council
Andy Mercer told fellow councillors he had chaired meetings, during which death treats had been made

Andy Mercer, a Conservative councillor, said: "I've had things thrown at me from the visitor's gallery [and] I've chaired meetings where there were death threats to the councillors so we've had to arrange police protection.

"I've been aware of a threat to blow up one of the council buildings I've been working in; I've had people threaten me and intimidate me and visit my house.

"We shouldn't have to do this. Hate shouldn't be there at all. It damages local communities and it damages democracy."

Labour's Mark Pengelly said he had been attacked during his time as an elected member and he suggested that proper training should be given to councillors on how to protect themselves.

Getty Images Sir David AmessGetty Images
The NNC leader, Jason Smithers, told councillors how David Amess MP had died while trying to improve people's lives

The meeting also remembered two high-profile politicians from elsewhere in the UK who paid the ultimate price while serving the public.

The NNC Conservative leader Jason Smithers said: "What we've seen in the last few years is two MPs, Jo Cox and David Amess, get murdered carrying out that same role trying to improve people's lives.

"We are all in danger when we go out there. There's got to be more protection for us as councillors."

Councillors agreed unanimously to back the "debate not hate" campaign.

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