Plymouth City Council Leader urged to issue 'full apology' and retract 'victim-blaming' comments
Cllr Nick Kelly made the remarks during an interview, where he was questioned about the Bobbi-Anne McLeod case
Politicians in Plymouth are demanding an apology from the city's council leader.
It follows Nick Kelly's comments made during an interview, where he responded to a question about the Bobbi-Anne McLeod case.
He said: "Everybody has a responsibility not to try to put themselves in a compromising position."
Cllr Kelly has since released a statement online apologising for his words. It reads:
"Over the past 24 hours I have been reflecting on the media reaction that has been developing regarding some of the comments I made in recent interviews.
"I want to start by wholeheartedly apologising, particularly to the family and friends of Bobbi-Anne McLeod, if reported statements made by me earlier this week have caused distress and upset.
"I want to emphasise that in no way shape or form was I ever suggesting that Bobbi-Anne McLeod did anything wrong. She didn’t. This tragedy is in no way her fault. What has happened to her is solely at the hands of the person who took her life.
"I am aware that a snippet from one interview I carried out, relating to general community safety issues in the city, and comments made in an informal conversation, have been used to imply the opposite. It could not be further from the truth.
"The fact is the streets of Plymouth must be made safer. It is crucially important that no one feels unsafe whilst out and about in the city, but sadly for many women and girls, this is an all too common feeling.
"We all need to tackle this problem head on. This is something that is far too deep-rooted in society today and an issue we – as individuals and accountable organisations - can simply no longer ignore.
"Making Plymouth’s streets safer for everyone is a top priority for my office and Plymouth City Council.
"I stand together with women to say that violence against women and girls is unacceptable. And I again apologise unreservedly that my words have taken away this focus, at a time when we should all be working together to grieve for Bobbi-Anne."
Cllr Nick Kelly - Leader of Plymouth City Council
But a group of 16 women Labour councillors and candidates say his comments caused 'real distress'.
They have written an open letter to Cllr Kelly, asking him to fully retract his statements made during the interview. It reads:
"We are writing as a group of women leaders in the city to ask you for a full and proper apology for the remarks you made during an ITV Westcountry interview where you stated that: “everyone has a responsibility to try to not put themselves in a compromising position”.
"You can be in no doubt that those words have caused a great deal of anger, hurt and upset here in Plymouth.
"Your victim-blaming rhetoric was in response to the appalling case of a young woman simply waiting to catch her local bus at tea time - it is never a victim's fault that a perpetrator chooses to harm them.
"Yet, given the opportunity to retract what you said by Plymouth Live, you chose not to do so and your statement issued through Plymouth City Council on Saturday morning doesn't withdraw it either. Instead you say a “snippet” of an interview has been used against you, casting yourself as the victim of some imagined unfairness.
"Do you not see how this refusal to withdraw those words, for a second time, undermines any attempt you might make to assert that you are serious about understanding and tackling the issue of violence against women and girls?
"As the leader of our city you should be unequivocal on the matter of victim-blaming and cognisant of the power of your words.
"We are asking you, once again, to reflect on what you said and the real distress it has caused. Then, perhaps, you might understand why a full apology and retraction is necessary, highlighting that the actual 'responsibility' everyone has is not to harm others.
"This would go some way to offering reassurance that you are aware of the gravity of this issue and that you will, in future, treat it with the seriousness it deserves."
The letter was signed by Cllr Sue Dann, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Plymouth City Council. It was also signed by:
- Cllr Sarah Allen
- Cllr Mary Aspinall
- Cllr Dr Pam Buchan
- Cllr Margaret Corvid
- Cllr Dr Charlotte Cree
- Cllr Sally Cresswell
- Cllr Sally Haydon
- Cllr Jemima Laing
- Cllr Sue McDonald
- Cllr Pauline Murphy
- Charlotte Holloway, Plymouth Labour Candidate for Drake Ward
- Daniella Marley, Plymouth Labour Candidate for Southway
- Francesca Rees, Plymouth Labour Candidate for Eggbuckland
- Zoe Reilly, Plymouth Labour Candidate for Honicknowle Ward
- Tina Tuohy, Plymouth Labour Candidate for Ham Ward
Bobbi-Anne went missing on Saturday 20 November. A body was found in Bovisand on Tuesday 23 November.
24-year-old Cody Ackland from the Southway area has been charged with her murder. He is due to appear at Truro Crown Court on Monday 29 November.