Council leader says abuse 'crossed a line'

A council leader said abuse and intimidation directed at councillors over a controversial aviary closure had "crossed a line".

Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson said offensive comments, threats and the publication of her personal details online had gone too far.

Atkinson said she had been left "sad, frustrated, annoyed and angry" by the abuse.

Her comments came after a survey found three-quarters of councillors felt at personal risk while carrying out their role.

Atkinson told BBC Radio Merseyside the abuse included comments about her appearance and intelligence, while her address and phone number had also been posted online alongside threatening comments.

"All we want to do is serve our residents and serve our constituents and it just seems to be continual targeting of female councillors," she said.

"People talking about how I look, whether they think I am intelligent or not, putting my address and phone number online. That has just got to stop."

Sefton Council has decided the aviary at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown, Southport, will close in March.

A Liberal Democrat motion calling for the closure to be paused pending further assessments was defeated on Thursday.

Campaigners have called for the attraction, which is home to about 170 birds and small animals, to be saved and say a charitable solution is available. The council has defended the decision, citing concerns about animal welfare and the long-term future of the facility.

The Save Our Aviary campaign group said it condemned any abuse directed at councillors.

A spokesperson said: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms abuse of any kind, whether verbal, written, online or otherwise directed at any Sefton councillor.

"It is unacceptable and has no place in public debate or community campaigning."

The group said anyone engaging in abusive behaviour was acting independently of the campaign and contrary to its values.

Southport MP Patrick Hurley, who is backing the campaign to save the aviary, has also urged people passionate about the issue not to become abusive online.

He told BBC North West Tonight: "It's really unacceptable in this day and age to be having councillors and politicians and people who are just doing their best for the borough to be subject to that abuse online."

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