A STATEMENT to draw attention to a motion regarding online accusations against elected councillors in Somerset has recently been issued.

Somerset Council Group Leaders have published a joint statement to raise awareness of the Debate Not Hate motion, which was passed at Full Council earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: “The reason we are drawing attention to this motion at this time is that there have regrettably been recent online accusations against current elected councillors in Somerset.

“The council and the police consider all accusations, even when there is no evidence to support them and take seriously all reported instances of online abuse and intimidation.”

The motion was unanimously passed, following strong and supportive debate, obviously receiving support from all political parties.

Leader of the council, Cllr Bill Revans, (Liberal Democrat) said: “In passing this motion Somerset County Council – and the new Somerset Council – is fully committed to standing up against abuse and working to promote positive, constructive public and political debate within our community.”

Cllr David Fothergill, Conservative Group Leader, added: “I fully support this motion. The toxicity of abuse and intimidation must be halted, and a zero-tolerance approach adopted.”

Cllr Leigh Redman, the Labour group leader who proposed the motion, said: “Democracy is at the heart of local government and councillors are as much part of the community they represent.

“While debating and disagreeing with each other is an integral part of the process, councillors should not be subjected to abuse and intimidation because of their role.”

Further to the statement issued by all the Group Leaders at Somerset Council, deputy leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Liz Leyshon, said: “I have real concerns about recent awful online abuse of elected Councillors in Somerset, including allegations made on Facebook accounts that appear and then disappear.

“Members of all political parties are elected to represent their communities and should not be abused for fulfilling the responsibilities that they were elected to carry out.

“I am currently working with my Liberal Democrat Group colleagues at Somerset Council due to our concern for one of our Chard colleagues who has been subject to repeated but completely false allegations that are very serious in nature.

“The LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) service has reviewed the allegations that have been made in relation to Cllr Jason Baker, up until March 2023.

That review was completed in conjunction with other colleagues including the police.

“The LADO for Somerset Council confirms that the outcome is that all the allegations made are unfounded. This means that there is no evidence or proper basis which supports the allegations being made.”

Cllr Leyshon went on to say: “An allegation was also made on social media that Cllr Jason Baker was ‘barred’ from Holyrood School in Chard.

“Leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans, visited the school and met the Head Teacher in person to discuss the allegation. Cllr Revans can confirm that the allegation is categorically untrue.

“Cllr Jason Baker has been the target of a deeply unpleasant, unjustified and untrue campaign of lies and smears on social media.

“If we want good people to stand for election, we all need to stand up for honesty and decency and speak up for colleagues of all political colours when online abuse is identified.”

Further details of the Debate Not Hate motion can be found here: Debate not Hate: Council supports bid to tackle abuse and intimidation against councillors.