Councillor endured two years of harassment from man

An elected councillor was forced to go to the police after enduring months of harassment from a member of the public.

Councillor Matthew Boles said the abuse he received ‘crossed the line’, and even extended to the man contacting his children’s school.

He says he received little support from West Lindsey District Council during the 18 month ordeal.

Councillor Boles, a Liberal Democrat representative for the Gainsborough North ward, called for councils to do more to protect councillors from intimidation.

“I’ve been a councillor for ten years. For eight I’ve loved it. I’ve had arguments with people but it’s been done in the right way – I can disagree with people politically and also have a pint with them,” he told a full council meeting.

“But in the last two years, I’ve been subjected to harassment and intimidation by a member of the public and I had to go to the police.

“This gentleman got to the point where he was emailing my daughter’s school about me.

“I sucked it up for the best part of 18 months – you think it’s part of the job. People will always disagree with you, but there’s a line.

Councillor Matthew Boles represents Gainsborough North for the Liberal Democrats | Photo: West Lindsey District Council

“As councillors, we sign up for this, but our families don’t, and they see the abuse constantly on social media.

“There’s no support in place for councillors, which is no criticism of council officers. Other than going to police, there’s nothing that can be done.

“Councils have a duty of care to councillors. There’s a bigger debate to be had about how they can be supported.”

It came as the council backed the national Debate Not Hate campaign, which condemns the rising level of abuse against politicians.

Other members also spoke out against online vitriol, which is often anonymous.

Councillor David Cotton said: “I ask people if they want to stand for our parish council, and they say ‘I don’t want all the abuse’. Social media in particular puts people off.

“We have never had a full council this year because we can’t get enough people interested.”

The Debate Not Hate campaign says that “whilst debating and disagreeing with one another is a healthy part of democracy, abuse and intimidation crosses the line into dangerous territory.”

More information on the Debate, Not Hate campaign can be found online.

West Lindsey District Council have been contacted for comment on the story.