Birmingham Green Party city councillor Siobhan Harper-Nunes has spoken publicly for the first time about the events leading to five criminal charges of assault and a sixth allegation of harassment. The 66-year-old, a lifelong anti-racism and women's rights campaigner, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of harassment and is currently being questioned by West Midlands Police.
Details of the charges and arrest
Harper-Nunes has been charged with five counts of assault, including against three police officers, linked to an altercation in and around a shisha bar in the city last week. She has been bailed to appear before Birmingham magistrates on September 10. The incident occurred at around 5pm on Thursday, August 6, outside a shisha bar near the junction of Monument Road and Hagley Road.
Following the initial charges, Harper-Nunes was arrested at a property in Monument Road on Wednesday morning, August 12, on an allegation of harassment. The arrest came shortly after she had spoken to BirminghamLive about the assault charges, during which she said she had little recollection of the details and had sustained significant injuries during the street altercation.
Calls to resign and political future
Harper-Nunes faces calls to resign her role as councillor for Ladywood, regardless of the court outcome. Labour group leader Nicky Brennan has led the calls, stating: "She should do the right thing by the people of Ladywood and step aside." Her party is already preparing for what they expect to be an imminent local by-election.
In her interview, Harper-Nunes expressed a desire to put recent events behind her and continue representing Ladywood on Birmingham City Council. She said she had been "doing a good job" and was eager to support the community further. However, she admitted that worried friends and colleagues had expressed concern she was unwell and were pressing her to seek help. She had not decided on her next steps but feared her political career was "over."
Background and party response
Harper-Nunes was elected to serve Ladywood in May, a result deemed an upset that took her by surprise. She had previously unsuccessfully stood to be a councillor, an MP, and to be West Midlands Mayor. A prominent campaigner on women's rights, she founded Shakti Women and was prominent in the creation of the Birmingham Race Impact Group.
A Green Party spokesperson said: "Cllr Siobhan Harper-Nunes has been suspended from the Green Party Group (on Birmingham City Council)." They added: "An internal investigation is now ongoing. Efforts are being made to ensure the councillor has appropriate support at this time." Harper-Nunes has been suspended from the Green Party group at Birmingham City Council pending the investigation.
