The councillors said they never intended for the issue to be made public but questions have been raised about the move
Two Wirral Councillors have said they had to move out of the borough to live in Wales because of homophobic abuse after a political row erupted over their living arrangements.
Rock Ferry and Bebington Green councillors Jason and Craig Walsh-McDonald, believed to be the local authority’s first gay couple, said they had suffered “sustained and serious homophobic abuse both in person and online.”
Cllr Jason Walsh, who previously spoke about the abuse with the Liverpool Echo, said he never intended for the move to be made public but criticisms were levelled at the Green Party at a full council meeting on December 2. The council’s Labour group, which raised the concerns about the move, have strongly condemned the abuse and said that the councillors would have received full support from the council if they had been aware.
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Labour said several residents had contacted them about the move, adding: “It feels perfectly understandable that residents have concerns about how effective this representation is when their councillors no longer live in the same country as the residents they were elected to serve.”
During the full council meeting this week, Rock Ferry Labour councillor Tony Murphy made references to Green councillors about “the environmental damages of travelling from Wales to Wirral to attend council meetings.” Later in the meeting, he suggested the poor attendance at a recent youth parliament debate was “because people are living and working in Wales.”
While not named at the meeting on December 2, the comments were later confirmed to be directed towards Cllrs Jason and Craig Walsh-McDonald. Labour said they were unaware the move was related to the abuse when they raised it.
A Wirral Green Party spokesperson said: “It’s a matter of long-standing public record that Cllrs Walsh-McDonald have been the victims of appalling in-person and online homophobic abuse. This has been covered by local and national media. It’s something Labour councillors are fully aware of. That abuse was so sustained and so serious the police were involved and action taken against perpetrators.
“Given their high local profile as councillors Craig and Jason felt there was no option but to move home to protect their own well-being. They remain within easy travelling distance of Wirral and are fully committed to representing their communities. They have reported over 200 issues on behalf of residents this year alone.”
Cllr Jason Walsh-McDonald said: “Since I was elected I have been subjected to sustained and serious homophobic abuse both in person and online. The latest incident was so serious that I felt unsafe in my own home, it caused me to be anxious before door knocking or attending council meetings. It took the wind out of my sails and I’ve never really been the same since.
“Because of this my husband Craig and I decided to move from our home in Bebington so that we could feel safe and secure. This was information I never wanted made public for my own and my family’s safety. Everybody has the right to feel safe in their own home.
“The Labour Party now want to use this as a political wrecking ball with little thought for the human consequences of their actions. Before and after our move Craig and I have steadfastly worked hard for our residents and have represented them on the council to the best of our ability. It is a stain on this council that a political witch hunt is being pursued by its leader against the first openly gay married couple on Wirral Council.”
Green group co-leader Cllr Pat Cleary said: “Craig and Jason are extremely hard working and have my full support. Rather than calling out the shocking abuse they have endured Labour have chosen to make petty political jibes. Shame on them.”
A spokesperson for Wirral Labour said: “At Monday’s Council meeting, questions were raised about Councillors Craig and Jason Walsh–McDonald’s decision to remain on Wirral Council after several residents expressed concerns about the fact that the Councillors no longer live in the Wirral but moved out of the country in February.
“Of course, nobody deserves ever to be the subject of hate or abuse. We strongly condemn the experiences of online and in person abuse that Councillors Craig and Jason Walsh–McDonald have had to deal with. They would have received full support from the council and all elected members if we had been made aware.
“This is not a political witch hunt and claiming so undermines the legitimate concerns that residents have passed onto our Labour councillors. Residents of Rock Ferry and Bebington voted for local representatives to be their voice on Wirral Council.
“The Green Party have had ten months to do the right thing by residents and step down as local councillors. Instead, they have used this time to campaign locally in Rock Ferry with a new candidate.”
