Mayor apologises after visitor says he was abused

Mayor Richard Leeds said he was surprised and disgusted to hear about racism in Cromer

The mayor of Cromer has apologised to the deputy leader of the Green Party, who said he was racially abused during a holiday in the area.

Mothin Ali, who is also a Green councillor for Gipton and Harehills on Leeds City Council, said the abuse happened as he and his children were on Cromer beach in Norfolk this summer.

Mayor Richard Leeds said he was "disgusted" when he read what had happened.

He said: "I can only apologise in this instance and hope it never happens again. I always thought we had a well-natured family atmosphere in Cromer, but times are changing."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, police were investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Police received a report on September 5, 2025, that a man and his family had been racially abused on Cromer beach on August 28, 2025. An investigation is now under way."

Mr Ali, a Muslim man of Bangladeshi descent, said he was told to "get out of the country" before beer bottles and plastic cups were thrown at his family.

The councillor was elected joint deputy leader of the Green Party on 2 September.

He speculated that the political environment has shifted and empowered some to be abusive in public.

In a statement, the mayor responded: "I am Cromer born and bred, our family have had a beach hut on the west beach for well over 100 years and have over the years seen many people of various nationalities come and enjoy the beach and the sea.

"I have never heard a word spoken against them, so this was quite a surprise."

Mothin Ali was elected as a Leeds city councillor in May 2024 and is now joint deputy leader of the Green Party nationally

The Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, Steff Aquarone, said he condemned "the racist abuse" and described the perpetrators as "scumbags".

He added: "No matter what your politics, there is no excuse for abusing someone for their ethnicity or otherwise.

"Cromer is a welcoming and inclusive town for visitors and residents alike, and I am angered that a small minority has chosen to attack Mr. Ali and his family while they were enjoying precious time together on our coastline."