The leader of Peterborough City Council has spoken out after racist and Islamophobic abuse was directed at a senior councillor. At a meeting of Full Council tonight (Wednesday), Councillor Shabina Qayyum said she was “calling out” the comments made online and via email about Cabinet member for finance and corporate governance, Councillor Mohammed Jamil.
“Last Thursday a multi-faith vigil took place in the city to remember the victims of the synagogue attack in Manchester and arson attacks at Mosques in our country and for community leaders to stand in unity against all forms of hate,” she told councillors.
“Everyone should feel free to practise their faith without fear and we must continue to take a stand against all forms of hate and prejudice.”
Cllr Qayyum said Cllr Jamil had been targeted because of a potential council asset sale.
“My Deputy in the Labour Group and Cabinet Member, Councillor Mohammed Jamil has been subjected to a number of racist, Islamophobic comments online and via email over one of our potential asset sales,” she said.
Picture by Terry Harris.
“I want to call out such comments as totally unacceptable. Whilst we are the subject of public scrutiny, no elected official should have to face a hate crime such as racism calling their safety into question for simply doing their job.
“I hope that you will all join me in standing with Councillor Jamil and rejecting the normalisation of such online hate which has no place in our city. Today marks four years since Sir David Amess was killed. I will not compromise on the safety of our members to do their job safely in this city.”
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Qayyum said she had been left “incredibly saddened and upset” by the abuse.
“I’m incredibly saddened and upset that Councillor Jamil has been subjected to some awful online racist abuse over an article in the press regarding the sale of a public asset,” she said.
“The language and threat to safety are totally unacceptable. We have a zero tolerance approach to such behaviour in our city towards our members and comments which we feel have crossed the line from free speech into acts of hate or are inciting violence have been reported to the police.”
