The council was forced to close its offices after vandals allegedly caused damage.
The council’s offices were cancelled (Image: Swale Borough Council)
District councillors were pelted with eggs by balaclava-clad yobs during a meeting over asylum seekers. The local representatives in Swale, Kent, were “violently intimidated”, it has been reported, as parts of their offices were also allegedly damaged. They were participating in a discussion about making their area a sanctuary for people seeking asylum. Spearheaded by City of Sanctuary UK, the movement aims to create welcoming environments for people wanting to remain in the UK, by offering support for housing, education and integration. The motion lost.
The area’s Labour MP, Kevin McKenna, said the “violent scenes” were an “attack on democracy itself”. He told the House of Commons: “I’m horrified to report to you and to the House as a whole that last night in Swale Borough Council there were violent scenes as people wearing balaclavas in the public gallery itself violently intimidated councillors.” He added: “They were threatening them, pelting them with eggs and missiles from the gallery.”
A lift was allegedly damaged by vandals. (Image: Swale Borough Council)
“This is an attack on democracy itself. This is an attack on free speech.
“This is an attack on my constituents.”
The MP also said: “The building was so badly vandalised afterwards, with toilets flooded, lifts destroyed.
“It can’t be used today and is not open.
“My constituents cannot access council services because of these actions.
“Our democracy is based on the ability to disagree with each other strongly, but never violently.”
“Kent Police attended a reported disturbance during a public meeting at council offices in East Street, Sittingbourne, on the evening of Wednesday, December 10,” a spokesperson for the force said yesterday, reports GB News.
“Officers liaised with council officials at the premises at the end of the meeting and later received reports of criminal damage and a common assault.
“There have been no arrests at this stage, and an investigation is underway into the circumstances.”
The Jo Cox Foundation said: “Violence and intimidation towards local councillors at any time is an attack on democracy, but especially when it takes place during a meeting.
“Our thoughts are with all of those at Swale Borough Council who must feel shaken by this appalling incident.”
The council closed its offices after the incident, and said yesterday that it was working to get them back open after they were damaged by some members of the public, a spokesman said.
They specified that toilets were “vandalised”, and “deliberate flooding” caused water to pour through the ceiling in several areas.
A lift was also damaged.
“The police are examining the CCTV footage, and we will be supportive of any prosecutions they pursue,” the authority added.
