A Labour councillor in Newcastle has spoken out over allegations of bullying and claims of “thug” behaviour in the party.
John-Paul Stephenson, who represents Heaton, has claimed that he has both witnessed and been subjected to bullying during his time on the city council and says that “underhand forces are at play” within Newcastle Labour. In a letter to the Chronicle penned ahead of the end of his term as a councillor and the May 4 local elections, Coun Stephenson accused fellow party members of trying to “deliberately embarrass their victim”.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands he has made a number of complaints regarding bullying accusations over recent years and that concerns have been raised by others within Newcastle’s ruling party. A Labour spokesman said the party took all allegations of bullying seriously, but did not comment specifically on Coun Stephenson’s accusations.
