Disabled councillor afraid to attend meeting after 'veiled threats' online
The former leader of Sandwell Council has revealed he did not attend his final full council meeting this week because he feared for his safety.
Councillor Steve Eling, who is disabled and walks with a stick, said he was afraid he could have been accosted as he entered the council house in Oldbury on Tuesday.
The Abbey ward councillor, who has served on the authority for 33 years, said he had been the subject of veiled threats on social media and could not take the risk of attending.
His fears come after Sandwell Council confirmed last month it was forced to take out a court injunction against an unnamed man who had used social media to threaten and harass two councillors.
The authority has also paid for wardens to provide protection at local surgeries when they meet voters.
In a message to the Express & Star Councillor Eling said: “I was not at full council and sent an apology because my back is not currently good and I live in fear of being pushed or shoved because of the injury and pain. That is what I have to manage.”
Before the meeting he also emailed Sandwell’s chief executive, Jan Britton, to say: “I make this apology for not attending the meeting on the grounds of personal safety. There have been veiled threats to my personal safety in attend(ing) this meeting.
“Statements on social media have targeted me, that I consider to be of absolute hatred and incitement of others to cause potential harm, to the extent that I feel that as a disabled person, who has already been accosted on the Council House car park, is a risk too far to attend.”
Tuesday’s full council meeting was picketed by demonstrators opposed to the construction of the £60 million aquatic centre.
But Councillor Eling said he was not afraid of legitimate protesters but did fear people motivated by online abuse could have jostled and knocked him to the ground.
Saying he has contacted West Midlands Police, the 59-year-old added the online comments about himself and the two councillors amounted to incitement.
“I worry all the more, because I have a disability, I can’t run off.
“Police say if you have issues with your safety you have to remove yourself from harm and that’s what I’ve had to resort to.
“I cannot afford to take the risk.”
Councillor Eling is not standing in May’s local elections after being deselected as a candidate by the Labour party.
A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “We take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of councillors and employees.”
