SOCIAL media abusers have been slammed by a Redditch borough councillor after she found herself the victim of an online tirade.
Mobility scooter user Councillor Anita Clayton (Con, Batchley & Brockhill) fell foul of the abusers when, as chairperson of Disability Action Redditch, she compered its highly successful ‘No Barriers’ awards a week last Friday, (March 18).
The event was full of fun laughter and good humour, but came two days after the Chancellor George Osborne had announced Budget cuts to disability benefits through a reduction in some Personal Independence Payments and the Employment and Support.
And despite her position at DAR being apolitical – the awards were founded by former Labour group leader Betty Passingham – online abusers made a connection between her and the Budget cuts, and duly let loose.
“I have been appalled at the amount of abuse I have taken for being chair of DAR during the week of the Budget,” said Mrs Clayton.
“As a councillor I can expect people to have a go at me about things to do with politics, but when it becomes personal that I cannot accept.”
And referring to some Labour councillors she added: “I was devastated at the remarks that were made by senior members of the controlling group.
“I do not expect people who are supposed to be ambassadors of this town, to resort to this level of attack to someone with a disability.
“Facebook and twitter when used in this way is a coward’s way of bullying, as they would not say it to your face.”
The abuse also spread to local MP Karen Lumley, who helped present the awards, but what the abusers didn’t know at the time was that she had written to Mr Osborne expressing her reservations about the cuts to disability benefits, a proposal that was eventually dropped by the Chancellor.
Mrs Clayton became chair of DAR when it was in danger of being disbanded and has turned it into a thriving organisation for the disabled and their carers. However she has offered her resignation in the wake of the abuse.
Leader of the council, Councillor Bill Hartnett said: “Redditch Labour Party made no statement on the disability payments. Lots of comments were made on social media by local residents, some residents were clearly angry about the proposals. Any comments made by group members would have been in a personal capacity.
“I and other group members attended the recent No Barriers awards in the Town Hall which was a great day and the current chair is clearly doing a good job.”
