A BARROW Borough Councillor has revealed he has faced 'abuse, allegations and threats' in his role after a fellow councillor announced plans to stand down due to the 'toxic culture'.

Iain Mooney, Barrow Borough Councillor for the Parkside ward, said it is 'vitally important' that passion is not mistaken for personal vendetta after fellow councillor Shaun Blezard opened up about the abuse he had faced in his role.

Cllr Blezard said he had material posted through his letterbox by far-right groups and faced persistent abuse online.

The councillor, who has represented Dalton South since 2016, said family members had also been targeted and has reported threats to the police.

Cllr Blezard announced he would stand down by the time of the next election, sharing with The Mail that 'there is only so much abuse anyone can take'.

Cllr Mooney, who also works as a nurse at Furness General Hospital, said the abuse Cllr Blezard has faced 'highlights the toxic environment' elected officials face in the county.

Speaking in light of Cllr Blezard's interview with the The Mail, Cllr Mooney said: "This is a good, but also sad article which highlights just some of the toxic environment that elected officials are currently facing in our country.

"Shaun talked about the abuse he has personally faced and the lack of support he has received. Shaun, like myself, is a volunteer, non-salaried district councillor.

"Although I have been lucky not to have faced some of the awful abuse that Shaun has, I have also received abuse, allegations and threats, as have most of our elected members.

"It's easy to dismiss these as being a consequence of being in the public eye, but it is important to remember that we are residents of our community just like everyone else."

Cllr Mooney said he often faces personal abuse from anonymous sources as well as from those within the political spectrum.

He said: "I often receive personal abuse via comments online and emails, including various allegations against my character, from anonymous sources or sadly also from people within the political spectrum, many who have never actually spoken to me.

"It is vitally important that we never mistake passion and varied beliefs for personal vendetta."

In February, councillors were told that Barrow Council intended to set up a safeguarding forum for elected members.

Council leaders across England have demanded urgent measures to tackle what they say is a tide of abuse against councillors, potentially including a specific law against intimidating public officials and a greater willingness to prosecute those who make threats, in the wake of the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.