Election 'thuggery' condemned by council leader

John Cotton said much of the intimidation during the general election campaign was aimed at women

A council leader has condemned what he has described as "thuggery and intimidation" from a range of activists during the general election campaign.

In a post on X, Birmingham City Council leaderJohn Cotton said the behaviours of a small number of people had been "utterly wrong," and much of the intimidation had been aimed at women.

Two MPs, Shabana Mahmood and Jess Phillips, have spoken of electoral intimidation during their campaigns in the city.

What happened was a "disgrace," said Mr Cotton, and elections had to be protected from those "who do not share our democratic values".

Jess Phillips spoke of party workers being filmed in the street and of making regular calls to police, while Shabana Mahmood said masked men had disrupted a community meeting, "terrifying" people in attendance.

During election counts in Birmingham where both women were candidates, there was a noticeable police presence.

The West Midlands force had confirmed it was looking into several complaints received in the run-up to polling day.

Mr Cotton said there were people "who seek to disrupt a free and fair process".

Democracy could not be taken for granted, he stated, adding it must be protected from "those who would take it away from us".

The Labour council leader said that together, people must work to maintain and raise standards in public life.