Labour council leader Councillor Tudor Evans OBE has reported receiving a serious threat of violence, amid escalating tensions over the campaign for a directly elected leader for Plymouth.
In a statement, Cllr Evans revealed that the threat was made by a member of the public on Monday evening, following what he describes as “weeks of intense campaigning” by supporters of the mayoral system change.
In a statement released on Facebook Cllr Evans said:
“Last night I received a serious threat of violence against me from a member of the public.
“It follows weeks of intense campaigning by proponents of a directly elected mayor for Plymouth, centred on generating hostility towards me.”
The council leader confirmed that he has reported the incident to senior police officers in the city, who have launched an investigation into the threat to his safety.
Cllr Evans, who has led the Labour group for 26 years, called for campaigners to moderate their approach. He said:
“I call upon the pro-mayor campaign to cease their relentless personal attacks on me and focus on putting a positive case for their position".
Responding to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Mayor for Plymouth campaign said:
“The Mayor For Plymouth Campaign does not condone any threat of violence under any circumstances.
"We are absolutely committed to running a fair campaign over the next 29 days until the referendum on July 17.”
The incident comes as national concern grows about the level of abuse facing elected officials and political candidates.
Research published by the Electoral Commission revealed that 43% of candidates in the May 2024 local elections in England reported experiencing abuse or intimidation.
Electoral Commission Chief Executive Vijay Rangarajan said:
“Campaigning is vital to our democracy and usually carried out respectfully.
"However, our research shows that far too many candidates are facing harassment and abuse.
"This can deter candidates from campaigning or standing altogether, significantly impacting voter choice and access to information.”
Su Moore, Chief Executive of the Jo Cox Foundation, which campaigns for civility in public life, added:
“We all have a responsibility for changing the perception that elected representatives are acceptable targets of abuse and intimidation.”
The threat represents a concerning escalation in what has been an increasingly charged political debate about Plymouth’s future governance structure. While political disagreement is a cornerstone of democratic society, threats of violence against elected officials cross a clear line.
Against this backdrop, there has been growing momentum for the mayoral campaign, with an increasing number of pro-mayor groups emerging across the city.
These campaigns have been vocal in their criticism of the current council structure and Cllr Evans’ leadership, arguing that Plymouth needs stronger, more accountable governance to address the ongoing challenges facing the city.
Devon and Cornwall Police and Plymouth City Council have been approached for comment.
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