The North Tyneside Conservatives have published documents online which they allege expose a "toxic atmosphere" and "control and coercion" within the local Labour Party.
One document is allegedly a statement written by a Labour councillor for Preston, Cath Davis. However, Coun Davis has not confirmed the claims she is the document's author. The document recounts a history of intimidation within the governing party of North Tyneside Council and is alleged to have emanated from within the party but this has not been confirmed.
One section of the document reads: "I have seen a pattern of bullying and harassment that other councillors have been subject to. I have also seen how members of the Group [Labour] are 'controlled and coerced' so that they are cowed into not challenging, voicing an opinion, or discussing policy going forward.
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"Now it seems even speaking in council is frowned upon. Sadly, there are women in particular who have not stood again because of the toxic atmosphere they have experienced. Three women left the Group last year after only serving one term in office."
The statement also makes reference to a letter, allegedly signed by 10 other Labour councillors in February 2019, which was sent to the chief whip seeking help about a "worsening toxic culture" within the Group. The supposedly leaked statement goes on to allege more councillors were sympathetic to the letter, but did not sign up for "fear of reprisals".
When approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service to verify the authenticity of the alleged statement, Coun Cath Davis offered no comment.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: "This is a desperate attempt by the local Conservatives to deflect from their own issues by engaging with gossip and hearsay. Nationally, sleaze oozes out of the Conservative Party with bullying and unethical behaviour, lobbying scandals, tax avoidance scandals, and a law-breaking Prime Minister.
"Locally, we have seen them slammed for their unethical campaign tactics and constant mistruths, disgraced by alleged furlough fraud claims and a divided party with councillors forming an independent group because of bullying allegations. North Tyneside Labour is united and focused on tackling the issues which matter to local residents.
"No complaints have been made against the leadership of the Labour Group. The party has a robust and fair internal complaints procedure for dealing with complaints against councillors."
The Labour Party has also stated that it can neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of the letter, as they state it has not been submitted to the Party.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said: "These leaked documents show a shocking pattern of bullying and coercion which comes right from the top of North Tyneside Labour. The documents prove what everyone involved in politics have known for some time - that Labour councillors are terrified to speak or give an opinion for fear of reprisals.
"In one of the documents, 11 Labour councillors jointly write to express serious concerns about the local leadership, describing a pattern of bullying and intimidation which they say has gone on far too long. Labour has difficult questions to answer, we should expect some high-profile resignations as more documents are revealed.
"It is disappointing to see the local Labour Party try and deflect this into party politics. These are serious allegations about the treatment of women who are afraid to speak out in their own party - what a damning indictment."
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