Staffordshire County Council, led by Reform UK in the Midlands, increased its security measures after a recent anti-racism protest disrupted a full council meeting.
During last Thursday’s session, members of Stafford Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (SCARF) chanted demands for the resignation of cabinet members accused of posting racist content on social media. The disruption escalated as some objects were reportedly thrown from the public gallery, forcing police to escort protesters out and the meeting to adjourn.
In response, the council conducted a security review and introduced enhanced protocols for the following Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. Four security staff were stationed at building entrances to check visitor IDs, while an additional four guards monitored the public gallery inside the council chamber. The public gallery was sparsely occupied, with only nine attendees permitted. Press members faced tighter restrictions, including leaving personal belongings outside the chamber, deviating from the usual access to a designated press desk.
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The cabinet meeting proceeded peacefully under the leadership of acting council leader Martin Murray. Reflecting on the prior disruption, Cllr Murray emphasized the importance of respectful democratic debate and condemned racism and hate in any form.
This wave of protest followed the resignation of former council leader Ian Cooper amid allegations of racist and offensive posts on platforms like X and YouTube. Demonstrators also called for the resignation of cabinet members Peter Mason and Chris Large, both accused of similar conduct; Mason has since apologized for posts made before his election.
A county council spokesperson highlighted the £750 cost of these temporary security measures, reaffirming the council’s commitment to safety for all attendees. They stressed that the added security was a precaution and not a permanent alteration. The council thanked attendees for their cooperation as the meeting concluded without incident.