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This thread sets out the basis of a complaint against Councillor David Boyes, Durham County Council, for his approval of several racially discriminatory comments about, and one comment advocating violence against, Travellers in a Facebook thread. [1/28]
Councillor Boyes posted a video (below) on Facebook, 18:14 hrs, 7 May, with the following message: “This is the scene at the Nature Reserve today. Apparently a number of travelers [sic] were down today and left the tables in this state. The police have been informed.” [2/28]
This public post is made on a Facebook page ‘Councillors David Boyes and Angela Surtees – Easington & Hawthorn’. Angela Surtees is, like David Boyes, a Labour Party councillor for Easington. Their account allows them to post separately under their own name. [4/28]
The video is 16 seconds long. It shows a wooden picnic table with benches either side. Three disposable BBQ trays are left around the base of the table. There are scorch marks, consistent with those from disposable BBQ trays, on about 1/3 of the surface area of the table. [5/28]
There are 2 scorch marks, consistent with such trays, on grass close to the table. A large bag sits beside the table. A smaller bag, which appears to be a multipack crisp packet, lies beside this larger bag. There appear to be smaller items of packaging around the table. [6/28]
The post received 37 comments and 9 shares. Some of these comments contain racially discriminatory statements, including harmful stereotypes, regarding Travellers. One comment advocates violence. It is liked by Councillor Boyes. [7/28]
It is unacceptable for a councillor to single out members of a racial group, as Councillor Boyes does. There would be outrage if a councillor referred to ‘a number of Jews’ or ‘a number of Irish’. He could simply have referred to ‘visitors’ or ‘people’ using the Reserve. [8/28]
One comment on Councillor Boyes’ post, states:
“Scum should be fucking shot
oxygen thieves.”
Councillor Boyes liked that comment. [9/28]
“Scum should be fucking shot
oxygen thieves.”
Councillor Boyes liked that comment. [9/28]
At 20.34 hrs, Councillor Boyes thanked someone who had commented on his post. He added: “as long as we’ve got decent people like yourselves, and the people who have commented above, then we’ll continue trying to make Easington a better place to live.” [10/28]
The comments on Councillor Boyes’ post start at 18:18 hrs, with the following comment from John Defty:
“Bunch of inbreads [sic] scumbags”. [11/28]
“Bunch of inbreads [sic] scumbags”. [11/28]
Another comment follows at 19:39 hrs, from Rodie Bagnall:
“Scruffy cunts. They think they r above the law”
Other comments include this from John Eagle:
“And they wonder why many people do not welcome them”
[12/28]
“Scruffy cunts. They think they r above the law”
Other comments include this from John Eagle:
“And they wonder why many people do not welcome them”
[12/28]
The “people who have commented above”, as Councillor Boyes puts it, in writing approvingly of those comments, necessarily include those who posted offensive discriminatory comments plus the comment advocating violence. [13/28]
I have submitted a complaint about Councillor Boyes to the Labour Party. I have also submitted a complaint to Durham County Council. I set out in the next two tweets some context before I expand on these complaints. [14/28]
First, I worked for a short time in a ‘shadow’ parish council capacity and sympathise hugely with councillors and residents dismayed by damage to, and littering at, amenities for the benefit of all. But damage and littering are caused by all sorts of people. [15/28]
Secondly, racism is abhorrent and we must be especially concerned in this present political moment to take decisive action against hatred towards Travellers, Gypsies and Roma given the slide to the far right in many countries, such as Hungary, and also the UK. [16/28]
So, to the complaints. First, to the Labour Party: http://bit.ly/3coad2i . The Party has rightly been seen historically as a party that supports human rights and justice, though recent reports of antisemitism in the Party continue to require robust, decisive response. [17/28]
The Labour Party states that it “expects all its representatives to uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life.” (Becoming a Labour Councillor: The what, why and how, https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Become-a-Labour-Councillor-Booklet.pdf.) [18/28]
![The Labour Party states that it “expects all its representatives to uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life.” (Becoming a Labour Councillor: The what, why and how, https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Become-a-Labour-Councillor-Booklet.pdf.) [18/28]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZa0ldVWsAA_HKt.jpg "The Labour Party states that it “expects all its representatives to uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life.” (Becoming a Labour Councillor: The what, why and how, https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Become-a-Labour-Councillor-Booklet.pdf.) [18/28]")
The Rule Book states that: “Labour will not tolerate racism in any form inside or outside the party [and] will ensure that the party is a welcoming home to members of all communities, with no place for any prejudice or discrimination based on race, ethnicity or religion.” [19/28]
“Any behaviour or use of language which targets or intimidates members of ethnic [...] communities, or incites racism […] or undermines Labour’s ability to campaign against any form of racism, is unacceptable conduct within the Labour Party.” [20/28]
The Rule Book also contains a Code of Conduct: Social Media Policy which states: “Harassment, intimidation, hateful language and bullying are never acceptable, nor is any form of discrimination on the basis of […] race […].” [21/28]
Travellers are covered by the concept of ‘race’ in section 9(1) of the Equality Act 2010. Travellers are also recognised as having distinct ethnic status. [22/28]
Councillor Boyes’ approval of racially discriminatory comments, and his like of a comment advocating violence:
Falls below the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life as set out in 'Becoming a Labour Councillor'. [23/28]
Falls below the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life as set out in 'Becoming a Labour Councillor'. [23/28]
Intimidates members of an ethnic community or incites racism, and undermines Labour’s ability to campaign against racism, contrary to the Rule Book. Represents intimidation, hateful language & a form of discrimination contrary to the Social Media Policy. [24/28]
Now to the complaint to Durham County Council.
The Council’s Code of Conduct, section 4.3, requires councillors to:
(h) Behave in accordance with all legal obligations […]
(j) Always treat people with respect […]
[25/28]
The Council’s Code of Conduct, section 4.3, requires councillors to:
(h) Behave in accordance with all legal obligations […]
(j) Always treat people with respect […]
[25/28]
Public authorities, including county councils, are obliged to comply with the Equality Act 2010; to avoid discrimination and meet the equality requirements in s. 149, as set out below:
[26/28]
![Public authorities, including county councils, are obliged to comply with the Equality Act 2010; to avoid discrimination and meet the equality requirements in s. 149, as set out below:[26/28]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZa2G8DWsAAQq5T.png "Public authorities, including county councils, are obliged to comply with the Equality Act 2010; to avoid discrimination and meet the equality requirements in s. 149, as set out below:[26/28]")
[26/28]
Councillor Boyes’ approval of racially discriminatory comments about Travellers (and of a comment advocating violence), are, at least, inconsistent with the legislation. They reinforce discrimination, damage equality, undermine good relations, & consolidate prejudice. [27/28]
Given the public interest in concerns about Councillor Boyes’ approval of racially discriminatory comments about Travellers (and of a comment advocating violence), this thread is copied to:
@LabourGRT
@GRTactivist
@TheNorthernEcho
[28/28]
@LabourGRT
@GRTactivist
@TheNorthernEcho
[28/28]
