Yahoo News Police investigating alleged online hate crime directed at Tory councillors in North Tyneside
Police are investigating an alleged online hate crime after a Facebook comment directed at Tory councillors in North Tyneside.
The North Tyneside Conservative Federation claim a Facebook comment from a Labour Party member towards sitting Tory councillors was homophobic and xenophobic. The Federation has reported the comment to both Northumbria Police and the Labour Party.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “We can confirm we received a report of an online hate crime relating to an individual in the Tynemouth area. Enquiries are ongoing.”
A North Tyneside Conservative Party spokesperson said: “Just a few weeks ago, all councillors agreed to sign the Jo Cox Civility pledge which specifically spoke about discrimination based on ethnicity or sexuality. It is a huge shame Labour doesn't seem to respect the same pledge.
“Local Conservatives are very proud to have a diverse group of councillors and candidates. Remarks like this put people off standing and damage democracy. The Labour Party both nationally and locally have failed to distance themselves from these remarks or apologise to the councillors who were targeted.”
A Labour Party spokesperson responded: “The Labour Party takes all complaints very seriously, and are investigated in line with our policies and procedures. We do not comment on individual cases.”
Online activity has seen the local Labour Party embroiled in further controversy ahead of local elections. Labour pulled all support and suspended its Preston and Preston Grange candidate Abdur Razaq over anti-Israel Facebook posts late last month.
Mr Razaq will still technically be listed as a Labour candidate on the ballot paper as under electoral law it is too late for Labour to replace him.
