A LOCAL councillor has said he won’t be deterred to campaign after receiving vile comments on social media - including threats to throw boiling water laced with sugar at him.
The comments, posted under MP Marie Tidball’s post about councillors campaigning across their wards, have subsequently been sent to the police.
Disgusting comments ranged from threatening to throw boiling water over representatives to tar and feathers.
Coun Alex Burnett, who represents the Penistone East ward, said he will not be deterred by the comments but admits he will be taking extra measures for protection moving forward.
He said: “I’m deeply upset to say that after a recent post about our door knocking several threats were posted on Facebook towards us.
“These have been passed on to the police.
“I’ve knocked on thousands of doors and never felt unsafe but the current climate is the most febrile I’ve known.
“I’m aware people are upset but threats are never acceptable. If you don’t wish to speak to us please just say so and we will leave.
“We’ll be continuing to knock on doors because I believe it’s a fundamental part of being a politician and being able to be held to account but we will be taking some additional measures to ensure safety from here on in.”
A recent Parliamentary report delved into threats made against politicians and concluded that ‘increasingly people think it is acceptable to engage with politicians in a confrontational, aggressive manner’.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and Chair of the Speaker’s Conference, said: “Standing for election and representing your community is something anyone should be able to aspire to.
“But the current climate of toxic political discourse is having a corrosive effect on our democracy, and is discouraging people from participating in our democratic process.
“The perception that it is acceptable to abuse public figures must end.
“The Speaker’s Conference report makes clear recommendations to government, the police, the media and wider civil society on how we can uphold freedom of speech and ensure accountability, while reducing threats and ensuring greater security for candidates, MPs and our democratic institutions.
“The onus is on all of us to moderate political discourse and ensure it does not cross the line into abuse, intimidation or violence.
“I will continue to work with all relevant groups to protect and defend our democracy
Ms Tidball echoed Coun Burnett’s comments and added: “British values means living in a democracy where politicians can disagree agreeably, where we treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of our political differences.
“Threatening and intimidating language towards politicians have no place in grown up and respectful debate in our great nation.
“It risks excluding a breadth of voices, especially women and those from working class backgrounds.”
South Yorkshire Police have investigated the threats but said that on this occasion the criminal threshold was not met.
However, it has been recorded and appropriate information and safeguarding has been provided.
A spokesperson added: “We have been in contact with the elected members affected by this and offered appropriate guidance and support.
“As part of our response to threats against elected representatives, we remain in regular contact with them and will always investigate any allegations of this nature.
“We deal with all reports proportionately and will take the strongest form of action wherever possible, regardless of whether threats are made online or in person.”
