Newcastle’s council leader has demanded an end to social media threats and abuse targeting him for being Northern Irish. Colin Ferguson has spoken out after a barrage of insults aimed at him over Newcastle’s City of Sanctuary status.
A video of the Gosforth councillor defending Newcastle’s commitment to the title, which promises a safe and welcoming place for asylum seekers and refugees, was circulated by the ‘Reform UK – Newcastle and North Tyneside’ Facebook page and attracted public comments calling for him to be hanged and beheaded.
Others left comments telling the Belfast-born Liberal Democrat to “*f** off back to Ireland” and claimed he is “not interested in the welfare of Geordies because he very obviously isn’t one”.
One person wrote: “I’m guessing IRA and he’s obviously happy importing other terrorists into our city…”
Coun Ferguson said that, if he as a white British man was receiving such abuse, he would “dread to think” of the level of online hate aimed at people from minority ethnic groups or other religions.
It comes following a row which saw a Reform UK councillor expelled from the party last week.
Daniel Astley faced criticism over comments made regarding immigration on the city’s West Road and a series of anti-Muslim social media posts, before being kicked out of the party due to his prior membership of the far-right Homeland Party.
Coun Ferguson, a dad-of-two who has spent 20 years in the North East, added: “This ugly, divisive language has no place in Newcastle politics. It has opened the floodgates for people to question my right to call Newcastle home, just because my accent hasn’t changed in the 20 years I’ve lived here.
“This sums up how Reform seems prepared to facilitate anyone prepared to target those of us who don’t meet their perception of ‘English’. If a British citizen born in Belfast is fair game, I dread to think how people who feel targeted for the colour of their skin, how they dress, or the religion they practise must feel.
“It’s time for Reform to stop using minorities as a political football, to unequivocally reject attacks on any community in Newcastle and to put an end to this ridiculous rhetoric.”
Coun Ferguson has led the city council since May, when the Lib Dems formed a minority administration supported by the Green Party following the local elections which removed Labour from power in Newcastle.
A spokesperson for the Reform UK Newcastle group said it was “not responsible for comments on Facebook posts made by people outside of our party and we do not endorse any negative personal comments directed toward the Lib Dem leader”.
They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “However, Coun Ferguson’s very public complaint is another example of pure petty politics. He did not approach our council group to raise the matter privately and a cynic might think this complaint to be a political stunt. Reform UK councillors receive daily abuse without complaint as a thick skin is needed in politics.”
The spokesperson added: “With so much genuine threat out there, the public are tired of confected outrage and we suggest our council leader devote more time to making this city work for the tax payer and less time scrolling random Facebook posts.”
Friends of Bylines Network
There has never been a greater need for grassroots journalism that investigates the stories that really matter, holds power to account and champions the voices of everyday citizens. We are proudly powered by volunteers but what we do isn’t free.
STAND WITH US for independent, citizen-led journalism that makes democracy stronger, and you will even get some exclusive benefits.
