News / Helen Godwin
Police investigating after mayor confronted at WECA HQ
Helen Godwin says she felt “trapped and unsafe” after being followed into a lift by a member of the public following a meeting.
Police were called and are investigating following the incident involving the community union ACORN which took place at the conclusion of a scrutiny meeting at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority headquarters in Redcliffe on Monday morning.
In a statement, the West of England mayor said “aggression is not activism, and tactics like this designed to intimidate politicians have no place in our society”.
Godwin said: “I pride myself on talking to people across the West Country every day, being open and accessible, including my usual question time slot with our scrutiny committee today.
“That’s an important part of our democracy and something I really enjoy as part of the job.
“But today, as I tried to leave the room, a group of people ran after me – shouting.
“A man followed me into a lift and refused to leave, despite being asked repeatedly.
“People, particularly women, will understand just how scary this was. I felt trapped and unsafe.
“The police had to be called, and they are now investigating.”
Helen Godwin at a previous meeting at WECA HQ with council leaders – photo: Martin Booth
Bristol City Council leader, Tony Dyer, called the incident “deeply disturbing”.
He said: “Intimidation or the use of intimidatory behaviours to scare, coerce or pressure someone into doing what another person wants has absolutely no place in our society.
“Nobody has the right to impose their will on another person through physical, verbal or emotional intimidation.
“This is a fundamental principle of living in a democratic and free society, where people must be able to go about their work and daily lives without fear.
“The reports of the incident that took place this morning at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority offices are deeply disturbing.
“Everyone, regardless of their role, background or beliefs, deserves to feel safe in their workplace and in public spaces.
“We expect that any individual, group or organisation wishing to protest or demonstrate in Bristol does so peacefully, respectfully and without any intent to threaten or intimidate others.”
An Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson said: “We attended the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) offices in Redcliff Street, Bristol, at about 10.30am today (Monday 23 March), after receiving a report that an elected official was confronted by members of the public following a meeting.
“Enquiries into this incident are ongoing.”
An ACORN spokesperson said that after Godwin left the meeting, some of their members “met her in the corridor outside and tried to ask questions, but were met with a complete unwillingness to engage”.
The spokesperson added: “The claim that she was ‘trapped’ is particularly odd, given that it was her own security that blocked her exit rather than any members of ACORN.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
