Security has been significantly increased at a Midlands council following a major disruption by anti-racism campaigners at a previous meeting.
Protest Forces Meeting Adjournment
A full meeting of Staffordshire County Council was adjourned last Thursday after members of the Stafford Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (SCARF) began chanting. The protestors were demanding the resignation of cabinet members accused of posting racist content on social media. Reports from the scene indicated that objects were also thrown from the public gallery towards councillors.
The demonstration led to police officers escorting the protestors from the council chamber in County Buildings, Stafford. In direct response to this incident, the council authorities decided to implement heightened security protocols for subsequent gatherings.
Enhanced Security Measures Implemented
Ahead of the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, the council took decisive action. Four security guards were stationed at the building's entrances to check identification, while an additional four were positioned around the public gallery inside the chamber itself.
The measures, which cost an estimated £750, proved effective as the cabinet meeting proceeded without interruption. Notably, the public gallery was sparsely occupied, with only nine attendees present. A journalist covering the event was also required to leave their bag and coat at the door, a departure from the usual practice where press are allowed at a dedicated desk within the chamber.
Leadership Responds to Unrest
Wednesday's session was the first cabinet meeting chaired by acting council leader, Martin Murray. He addressed the previous week's events directly, stating the council's position on the protests and the allegations at their core.
"As councillors we are elected by the people in our communities to represent them," Cllr Murray said. "The strength in democracy is that everyone has the right to debate, to disagree and even to protest at times. But this must be done peacefully and to allow due process."
He reiterated a firm stance, adding: "I have already made it clear that racism and hate have no place in this council or this country, but I want to repeat that today. Our focus must be on bringing people together, not on division."
The protest was sparked by the departure of former council leader Ian Cooper, who left his role amid claims of posting racist and offensive remarks online. Demonstrators specifically called for cabinet members Peter Mason and Chris Large to step down over similar accusations. Cllr Mason has since apologised for posts made prior to his election.
A council spokesperson explained that the extra security was a direct result of a risk assessment conducted after the previous disruption. "We have a duty to keep anyone attending a county council meeting safe," they said. "These security measures will be constantly reviewed going forward and are not a permanent change." The council thanked all involved for their cooperation during the latest, peaceful meeting.
