Abuse, threats and hate have no place in Newcastle

Newcastle City Council leader Councillor Colin Ferguson

I wanted to share something concerning Newcastle City Council leader Councillor Colin Ferguson.

Colin has spoken out after receiving a barrage of online abuse following discussion around Newcastle’s City of Sanctuary status.

The comments reported are deeply concerning.

They included threats of violence, comments telling Colin to “go back to Ireland”, and attacks questioning his right to call Newcastle home because he was born in Belfast.

Whatever anyone’s political views may be, there is absolutely no justification for this.

People are entitled to disagree with councillors. They are entitled to challenge decisions, policies and political parties. That is part of democracy.

Threatening someone, attacking their nationality or background, or telling them that they do not belong here crosses a completely different line.

Colin was born in Belfast and has lived in the North East for around 20 years. He is currently the Leader of Newcastle City Council.

The comments appeared beneath a video shared by the Reform UK - Newcastle and North Tyneside Facebook page.

For balance, a spokesperson for the Newcastle Reform UK group told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the party was not responsible for comments posted by people outside the party and did not endorse negative personal comments directed at Colin.

This article is not about supporting or opposing any political party or policy.

It is about something much more basic.

Nobody involved in public life should have to put up with threats, racist or nationality-based abuse, or personal attacks simply because someone disagrees with them.

Great Park Residents Group gives Colin our full support in standing against the abuse and threats directed towards him.

We may not always agree with every decision made by the council or by individual councillors, and we will continue to raise concerns and challenge decisions where necessary.

But disagreement should always remain respectful.

There is a human being behind every elected position, and people should be able to serve their communities without fearing threats or abuse against themselves or their families.

Colin, you have our full support on this.

Abuse and intimidation have no place in Great Park, Newcastle or anywhere else.