The leader designate of Maldon District Council has published an open letter to "move on" from recent controversy and call for an end to abuse of staff.

Councillor Richard Siddall, who has taken over as leader designate of the council following the resignation of Councillor Wendy Stamp last week, published the letter with the support of 24 other Maldon district councillors today (Monday, 15 November).

Councillor Siddall said: "The open letter firmly supports the need for zero tolerance towards hate crime, backing the Enough Is Enough campaign also launched today by the council.

"We have all seen the distressing impacts of hate crime. The tragic death of MP Sir David Amess and other alarming events only bring additional worry and concern for the council and its elected members at what has been a challenging time.

"Councillors stand together with staff at the council.

"We must move on and focus on what we are elected to do."

The council has come under fire in recent weeks after a full council meeting descended into chaos earlier this month, with the police called and members leaving in protest.

The meeting was discussing sanctions against Councillor Chrisy Morris, after two independent investigations recommended he had bullied council members.

Police officers said Councillor Morris was "breaching the peace" after he arrived with a megaphone and repeatedly shouted "point of order", but no arrests were made.

Since then, members of the council have reported receiving daily abuse and harassment.

In a statement, Councillor Stamp said she was stepping down to "ensure what this council and its staff have been subjected to in recent weeks stops".

Councillor Stephen Nunn also resigned as deputy leader of the council "in support", with Councillor Jeanette Stilts stepping up as deputy leader in his place.

In the open letter, councillors said the "hostile climate" created by the abuse they are receiving is "hampering" the council's ability to go about its work and deliver its services to residents.

You can read the letter in full below:

OPEN LETTER TO THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

We are writing this open letter as a group of councillors from across the political divide as a consequence of the unacceptable behaviour some of us have experienced personally, and which council staff have experienced over the past few weeks.

We are united in our view that enough is enough - the abuse and harassment of staff and elected members of this authority has got to stop.

As elected politicians, we fully understand that there will be political disagreements.

We also know and accept and welcome that members of the public will want to hold us to account and will have views, sometimes very strong views, on our policies and some of the decisions that we make. That is all part of a democracy.

We have no wish whatsoever to stifle debate, criticism or peaceful protest - they are cornerstones of the British political system.

But what we cannot accept is the appalling behaviour of a minority who believe they are entitled to abuse, harass, and intimidate staff and elected members as they go about their work for the people of Maldon.

That behaviour, which has been widely reported over the past week, has no place in our society or our democracy and it threatens the ability of our authority to deliver the vital services that we provide to the citizens of the Maldon district.

Throughout the pandemic, our staff have worked tirelessly, often unnoticed, to continue to provide services to the people of the district. As we emerge from Covid-19, as a council we want to focus on the future and how we can support our community in so many ways as it recovers.

However, the hostile climate which a small number of people have been trying to create is hampering us in that vital effort.

We are determined they will not succeed. This open letter has been signed by 25 members of Maldon District Council because we stand in united opposition to the ugly, aggressive, confrontational, and abusive behaviour toward elected members and council officers we have witnessed or been subjected to. We hope you, as the people we are elected to serve, agree with us that enough is enough.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Richard Siddall

Councillor Penny Channer

Councillor Mark Heard

Councillor Wendy Stamp

Councillor Jeanette Stilts

Councillor Maddie Thompson

Councillor Carlie Mayes

Councillor Vanessa Bell

Councillor Mark Durham

Councillor Sue White

Councillor Anne Beale

Councillor Brian Beale

Councillor Bruce Heubner

Councillor John Keyes

Councillor Bob Boyce

Councillor Clive Morley

Councillor Mark Bassenger

Councillor Anne Hull

Councillor Kevin Lagan

Councillor Nick Skeens

Councillor Christopher Swain

Councillor Stephen Nunn

Councillor Michael Edwards

Councillor Jane Fleming

Councillor Flo Shaughnessy