Political leaders in Monmouthshire moved to demonstrate their opposition to hate crime last week, as a rise in racist incidents was reported around the UK.

The cross-party group issued a joint statement opposing such behaviour after reports of hate crime increased sharply following the EU referendum held on June 23.

Councillors Peter Fox (Conservative), Dimitri Batrouni (Labour), Phil Hobson (Liberal) and Simon Howarth (Independent) were unanimous that there was ‘no place’ for behaviour which singled out a particular group.

This is in line with the position adopted following a meeting of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Council on July 1st.

The statement read: “Welsh Councils are proud to celebrate the diversity of all our communities from Butetown to Bangor.

“We also have a historic tradition of tolerance which has been at the heart of Welsh civil society based on our firm foundation as a bi-lingual nation.

“Councils have been at the forefront of welcoming asylum seekers and refugees from all parts of the world for many years. We value the contribution they have made and continue to make to society.”

The group added that it would continue to strengthen communities through promoting tolerance, and warned those engaging in such crimes could not use the successful campaign to leave the EU as ‘cover’ for their actions.

 

Monmouthshire’s Chairman, Councillor Jim Higginson said: “The council is strongly opposed to any form of hate crime and will work with all agencies to ensure the removal of this blight upon society.”?