Safety advice issued to Isle of Wight councillors

Leading members of the Isle of Wight Council have addressed the tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP and urged councillors to be cautious about their own safety.

Using his address to the full Isle of Wight Council in last night’s (Wednesday) meeting, chairman, Councillor Geoff Brodie, condemned online abuse members of the council received.

He said he quite often sees the vilification of councillors on social media and the unfair criticism they get when they offer their time to public service.

In his written message to full council, Cllr Brodie said: “I increasingly feel the world we are living in is getting more dangerous — not just for MPs but elected councillors.”

“Quite a number of you endure entirely unreasonable online abuse from anonymous contributors."

“I personally consider all anonymous abusers to be cowards and feel that the media in this country facilitates the increase in hatred against democratically-elected representatives just doing what they are elected to do.”

Last month, while holding his local surgery, Southend MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death, with a 25-year-old man charged with his murder and preparing terrorist acts,

An emotional Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox supported Cllr Brodie’s comments and said the incited hatred some councillors, and their families, faced was really sad,

She said she knew other councillors endured so very much and councillors only put themselves up to help their communities.