Domestic abuse protest held outside council chambers following allegations against ex-leader

A domestic abuse march that took place over claims a council's ex-leader abused multiple women has demanded an apology for the authority's handling of the situation.

Founder of a Northamptonshire domestic abuse support group and fellow survivor Hannah Martin said she organised the march to show the council that issues can't just be "brushed under the carpet".

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has said it is "fully committed" to supporting partners in tackling domestic abuse.

A series of allegations were published last month against the ex-West Northants leader Jonathan Nunn. He has repeatedly denied the accusations and stepped down amid mounting pressure against him.

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He now sits as an independent councillor for the Nene Valley ward.

Ms Martin said: "Domestic abuse is a very serious matter. It’s not a personal matter in the slightest so we are here today to change their way of looking at things and ideally we want Jonathan Nunn to stand down completely."

The campaign, which ended outside the Northampton Guildhall ahead of the authority's annual meeting to confirm their new leader, also took issue with chief exec Anna Earnshaw's comment that 'claims about domestic violence were a personal matter' and the council's general response to allegations.

She added: "It prevents people from speaking out and that goes against everything that I’m trying to represent.

"I want changes to be made, I want their views to be changed and I also want [the council] to have training on domestic violence."

The rally came armed with the support of domestic abuse survivors, allies members of the public and councillors from the opposition parties who had been questioning the former leader's position when allegations first surfaced.

Conservative councillor James Hill was the only member of his party to attend and show support, though he said he knew of a few others who would have liked to come.

He said: "I wanted to show unity with the survivors of domestic abuse in general but also the victims who spoke out which was incredibly brave of them.

"I think the key message is now that we come together and we move forward and West Northants shows victims, which I know Anna Earnshaw and Adam Brown have committed to, that they are going to work with charities to try and rebuild the trust."

Cllr Hill also said he hoped Cllr Nunn would "do the honourable thing and resign" whilst allegations remain in question.

Cllr Paul Clark (Independent), who first raised the allegations in an open meeting, said the day was about the bravery shown by the five women who came forward.

He said: "They were saying it’s a personal matter and all I highlighted is the fact that I disagree.

"[Jonathan Nunn] launched this domestic abuse partnership with the council ‘It Only Takes One’, well we’ve had five women come forward and the council still are going against what that was."

Newly elected police fire and crime commissioner Danielle Stone, who was in attendance, said she was "solidly behind the agenda to reduce domestic violence" and called for a "better policy" of who can be recruited as a councillor, including DBS checks.

A WNC spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to working with and supporting all our partners on tackling domestic abuse and addressing the impact of these matters on the victims and our wider community.

"Violence of any kind is totally unacceptable and we always urge anyone who has experienced this to seek support from one of our domestic abuse or sexual violence support organisations and report it to the police."

New leader Adam Brown and Chief Executive Anna Earnshaw will also be meeting representatives from local domestic abuse and sexual violence organisations later this month to address issues and take a strong stance against domestic violence.

Jonathan Nunn has been contacted for comment.