A black Birmingham election candidate has reported being subjected to a death threat and relentless racial abuse during his campaign. Desmond Jaddoo, who is standing in the Kingstanding ward where he resides, said he has been bombarded with racist insults and intimidation since announcing his candidacy.
Mr Jaddoo stated that he has been targeted both online and in person because he is a non-white candidate. The incidents include a phone death threat received before he announced his candidacy, which he reported to West Midlands Police, ongoing racial abuse on social media platforms such as Facebook, another abusive phone call on Monday containing racist language and intimidation, and threats made after filming a campaign video near Kingstanding Circle.
Mr Jaddoo expressed serious concern about the tone and direction of the election campaign and said he is worried about the possibility of trouble at the vote count in Birmingham city centre on Friday, May 8. He is part of the "Enough is Enough Clean Birmingham" campaign, which has fielded six candidates across several Birmingham wards.
Mr Jaddoo said: "Within this diverse community many residents have been welcoming. Nevertheless, there is a clear and growing sense of frustration among residents who feel let down. It is vital that they recognise where accountability lies, as local representation in recent years has been virtually non-existent. This level of abuse and intimidation has no place in our democracy. Elections should be contested on ideas and policies, not hatred and division."
For a full list of Birmingham election candidates, visit our website.
