Women's charities criticise West Northants response to domestic abuse allegations
Five charities have written an open letter to the council.
Charities that work with sexual and domestic abuse victims have written an open letter West Northamptonshire Council.
They're critical of what they call 'inaction' over the councils response to domestic abuse allegations surrounding former leader Jonathan Nunn. He strenuously denies the allegations, but stepped down as council leader on Thursday 18th April.
The five charities who have signed the letter are Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service, Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge (known as eve), Northamptonshire Rape Crisis, Creating Equalz and Black Women’s Domestic Abuse Group.
They say "Domestic abuse should not be tolerated at any level in our society; we appeal to you to proactively respond to these allegations"
"While we are aware that Mr Nunn has now stepped down, regardless, by not taking a stronger stance on this, the implication is that the alleged activity by a councillor (and specifically the Leader of the Council) is not a serious matter, is not important, nor is it your business. Not only does this risk the immensely important work done so far in this County on domestic abuse and sexual violence via a strategy that is led by the Council, but it also risks setting our campaign against domestic abuse back years - and closer to where domestic abuse was seen as a private family matter that happened behind closed doors and definitely not talked about."
In a response the Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council, Anna Earnshaw, says they do not have legal powers to suspend or remove an elected member from their role as a councillor.
She adds: “It has been an exceptionally challenging time for everyone with the allegations stirring up many emotions for those who have experienced domestic abuse, including among our own staff.
“I would like to assure them that at no time has the allegation of domestic abuse received by the Council been downplayed or downgraded and with every contact received by the victim we encouraged them to seek the support of local domestic abuse agencies, as well as reporting to the police, so that these could also be investigated by those that had the power and expertise required.
“It is clear there are expectations from some, including the victim and press, that the Council can take certain actions when it does not have the power to do so. "
Deputy Cllr Adam Brown is currently standing in as leader.