Death threats, late night intimidation, and spat at in street: councillors reveal shocking abuse and threats
“I feel that increasing levels of abuse is due to politics becoming increasingly toxic and divisive”
Three current and former councillors and Sunderland political leaders have given a shocking insight into the threats and abuse they have faced in local public office including death threats, being spat at in the street, and having their homes tracked down by strangers.
The revelations come following the suspected murder of former MP and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe, with discussions having taken place in Parliament over the last week about greater protection for our politicians.
Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson has recently explained to constituents that she prohibits comments on her Facebook page due to being subjected to online abuse and trolling, whilst Washington MP Sharon Hodgson has spoken out about abuse and intimidation becoming “commonplace” with a particular concern for the risk posed to female MPs.
Sunderland Conservatives leader and former councillor Antony Mullen has revealed the shocking moment one “obsessed” individual turned up at night at his family home, resulting in him having to contact Northumbria Police to initiate Operation Ford, a specialist response to “provide protective security and support to local elected officials against intimidation and harassment”.
Mr Mullen said: “One obsessed individual used my declared interests form - which councillors have to publish publicly for transparency purposes - to locate my address. He used this to post letters accusing me of corruption in my street and in my parents' street - and he did so during the night.
“His justification for these letters was that I had refused to help him; in reality, he has never contacted me and I was never his councillor. After I provided details of his identity to the local authority, this man turned up to my house during the night, pulled my camera doorbell from its frame and positioned it against my front gate looking back up towards my front door.”
On the issue of online abuse during his time as a councillor, Mr Mullen added: “I routinely faced online abuse whenever I appeared in the media, but I dismissed this because I believe people in politics have to be thick skinned (and I am).
“But this was the first time that there was a threat that went beyond words. As a result, I hid my address from public view and therefore became less accessible to genuine residents.
“Voters get the politicians they deserve - and they have to accept responsibility for low-quality politicians if they create a culture in which decent people do not wish to serve.
“If people legitimise violence and intimidation just because someone occupies a political role, they will have to accept the reality of a weakened democracy and poor local representation.”
Sunderland Liberal Democrats leader and Grindon, Hastings Hill, Springwell and Thorney Close ward councillor Paul Edgeworth revealed that in 2021 he was the victim of a death threat.
Cllr Edgeworth said: “The only time I’ve been the victim of abuse or threats was in 2021 when I received a death threat on my Instagram account. It was at the time we were campaigning to rename Newcastle Airport to Newcastle and Sunderland Airport. As you can imagine, a lot of the responses were from Newcastle residents unhappy with this suggestion, but most of it was in good humour.
“However, one Instagram post was from an individual who said he was going to come to my house and kill me. I didn’t really take it seriously at the time or report it to the police, but in hindsight you just never know who that individual is and whether they are serious.”
On the decision of some MPs deciding not to engage with constituents on social media, Cllr Edgeworth said: “I don’t use social media very often as I prefer to get out and engage with people face to face, a situation where people are less likely to say some of the things they do online.
“I definitely do feel it’s a bigger issue for female politicians who may feel under greater threat. I also feel that increasing levels of abuse is due to politics becoming increasingly toxic and divisive.”
Reform UK’s recently elected councillor for Redhouse Ward, Cllr Ciera Hudspith, posted a statement on social media this week calling for greater protection for politicians after an individual turned up uninvited when she was alone at home.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, she said: “We live in a democratic society, however in today’s political climate it is understandable that politicians from all parties remain concerned for their safety.
“We unfortunately live in a world where standing up for what you believe in can result in your being harassed, abused, and even murdered. It is never acceptable no matter your views.
“I am currently approaching the end of my second month as the Councillor for Redhouse ward on Sunderland City Council, and whilst I am proud of all we have achieved in those 2 months to date, it does not come without its negatives. In just a few short weeks I have been subject to harassment via email, online and in person abuse, spat at in the streets, and have had people menacingly turn up at my address when I was home alone.
“We commend anyone who takes the tough decision to stand for office, the very least we can do for those who devote their life to public service is ensure their safety.”