Great Yarmouth councillors 'feel unsafe' after online abuse

Members of Great Yarmouth Borough Council have raised concerns about their welfare in the wake of remarks by Reform MP Rupert Lowe in a row over the authority's housing policy.

His criticism prompted his followers to make unfounded accusations that members were "corrupt" and taking "brown envelopes" from developers.

Despite requests for the MP to remove the comments, they remain visible on Facebook. 

Rupert Lowe, Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, continues to clash with local councillors (Image: Rupert Lowe) Mr Lowe has also been involved in a war of words with local Tories on Facebook, which resulted in him being blocked, and an ongoing row over the 'progress' pride flag - which includes colours of the transgender flag - being flown outside Town Hall and other civic buildings.

READ MORE: MP "inciting hatred" due to trans flag comments

Cathy Cordiner-Achenbach, Labour councillor for Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest)

Cathy Cordiner-Achenbach, Labour councillor for Central and Northgate ward, said at a recent full council meeting: "I have never felt unsafe in this borough, any time day or night.

"But tonight for the first time coming here I questioned where I should park.

"His role comes with great responsibility. He should be aware of the impact his actions have on others."

Daniel Candon, cabinet member for economic develpment and growth (Image: Submitted)

Daniel Candon, Conservative councillor for Bradwell North, added that his wife worried if he would be safe at an upcoming public event in his ward. 

Senior councillors said the level of abuse they have received online in recent weeks has been "unprecedented".

Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour group, said: "In my 20 years as a councillor I have never seen this level of abuse and hatred. Words fail me."

READ MORE: Councillor blasts 10-month probe into bowls brouhaha as 'waste of time and money'

The discord has led to an intervention from Sheila Oxtoby, chief executive, who has instructed staff to respond to any comments related to allegations of corruption.

"We will be asking people making these comments to provide evidence to the police or council."

The authority also intends to begin live-streaming meetings, to provide the public with more transparent access to the workings of the council and how it makes decisions. 

Sheila Oxtoby, chief executive of Great Yarmouth Borough Council (Image: Archant) At the meeting, there were calls for the businessman MP to apologise, with councillor Carl Annison calling the situation "absolutely disgraceful".

However, after getting wind of the criticism from councillors at the meeting, Mr Lowe showed no signs of wishing to find a resolution.

In a further post on Facebook, he said: "GYBC councillors have publicly attacked my character, my career and my background, unprovoked on multiple occasions.

"I am robust with my criticisms, but I do NOT resort to personal abuse.

"They then have the cheek to point the finger and complain - I hear they have been doing so at a council meeting AGAIN.

"If they want to improve relationships in the local political arena, they should look to their own language and conduct."

A poster promoting a protest in reposne to Rupert Lowe's transgender comments (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Lowe, just three months into his tenure as MP, has caused controversy on several occasions through his comments.

He has previously been accused of mounting a "witch hunt" on local teachers after making accusations students had been indoctrinated through the pushing of critical views of Reform to pupils.

The Great Yarmouth Pride Group has also said his comments condemning the flying of the 'progress' flag being flown outside public buildings were "inciting hatred."

A protest is planned this weekend in response.