Leeds councillors face increased risk of ‘violence or intimidation’ says report

A report by council officers revealed 20 of the authority’s 99 councillors requested to have their home addresses removed from the council website last year due to fears this could lead to violence and intimidation. This showed a substantial increase from only seven such requests the previous year.

The document, set to be discussed by the authority’s standards and conduct committee this week, suggests this reflects a national trend of increased threats, often via social media.

One councillor claimed female members of the council were particularly at risk from the behaviour, adding it was ‘daunting’ for some members to have their addresses known.

The document, set to go before the council’s standards committee, reads: “20 (7 in 2018/19) [permissions to withhold interests] relate to Leeds City Councillors, a substantial increase from last year.

“This reflects the trend nationally where elected representatives face increased threats and being targeted maliciously – often, although not exclusively, via social media.”

Coun Fiona Venner (Lab) is a member of Leeds City Council’s decision-making executive board. She said: “Women councillors in particular that are receiving inappropriate messages – for women councillors who live on their own it can be daunting thinking people have access to your home address.

“It makes sense if you think about how much abuse councillors and women get on social media, it’s not surprising [some people are put off becoming councillors.”

Coun Venner was one of the councillors who asked for their address to be taken down from the Leeds City Council website.

“Our lives are public and open – so I am mindful when I am posting on Twitter about not wanting to identify where I am.”

A report last year from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, into made a recommendation to government to clarify that a councillor does not need to register their home address on an authority’s register of interests.

According to the Local Government Association (LGA), such intimidation is ‘putting people off’ standing as local councillors.

A section of the LGA’s website addressing intimidation faced by elected members states: “Becoming and serving as a councillor is a responsibility, a privilege and a hugely rewarding undertaking.

“But we are aware that an increasing number of councillors and candidates are being subjected to abuse, threats and public intimidation, undermining the principles of free speech, democratic engagement and debate. The growth of social media has provided an additional and largely anonymous route for individuals and groups to engage in such activity.”