Moray Council give green light to Jo Cox Foundation donation

A charity which aims to combat violence against politicians has been given a cash boost by Moray Council.

Moray Council has agreed to donate £500 to the Jo Cox Foundation in support of its Civility Commission.

The Jo Cox Civility Commission campaigns against unacceptable behaviour towards politicians, including abuse, intimidation and violence. Violence towards politicians is considered one of the biggest threats to democracy in the UK.

The donation comes as Cosla leaders wrote to all local authorities in Scotland endorsing the work of the commission and recommending supporting the work to improve safety for politicians.

Moray Council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson said: “There’s a real risk that politicians step down and fewer people put themselves forward as candidates due to the abuse and intimidation aimed at elected officials.

“While there is acknowledgement that we put ourselves in front of the public in our roles, no-one should suffer violence or maltreatment at work.

“The Jo Cox Foundation works towards creating stronger communities, respectful politics and a fairer world – all aims we can get behind. But to do that we need the best people with a variety of backgrounds and experiences in the position of elected members.

“To attract them we need their workplace to be safe space and to get rid of the toxicity of abusing politicians, particularly on social media.”

Ms Cox, who was the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was murdered on Jun16, 2016 when she shot and stabbed multiple times in the street in the village of Birstall, where she had been due to hold a constituency surgery.

Thomas Mair was found guilty of her murder that November and sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order.