AFTER a debate on a motion proposing Thurrock Council reaffirms its 'utter intolerance of violence of any kind, especially violence by men against women and girls', a Labour councillor has come under fire for his comments.

Stanford East and Corringham Town Cllr John Cecil was a solitary voice questioning the motion put by leading Conservative Cllr Deborah Arnold to the council's recent full meeting, which drew attention to national news media reports about recently-elected borough MP James McMurdock.

Mr McMurdock became the Reform party's fifth MP when he narrowly won the South Basildon and East Thurrock seat, beating Labour's Jack Ferguson by 98 votes and deposing long-serving Conservative MP Stephen Metcalfe.

Within days of his election, his previous conviction for assaulting a young woman, for which he received a custodial sentence, made headlines. The BBC was among many outlets to feature the story and its report can be viewed via this link. 

At last week's council meeting Cllr Arnold proposed: "This council notes with concern recent media reports which highlight that the newly elected Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock has received a criminal conviction and custodial sentence for violence against a woman.

"This chamber reaffirms our utter intolerance of violence of any kind, especially violence by men against women and girls."

The motion drew support from a number of councillors and was seconded by fellow Conservative Cllr Liz Rigby who said: "The aim is not to score political points, it is to reaffirm Thurrock Council's intolerance of violence, especially against women, and assure residents that there are local politicians who will speak out against it. This is a crime that claims lives and ruins families and we have a duty to speak out."

Speaking to members she said: "Violence against women and girls has been classed as an emergency. In 2022 to 2023 there were more than a million cases and it accounted for more than 20 per cent of all crime.

"It takes various forms, occurring in a range of circumstances, including work and domestic settings.

"Many perpetrators are in a position of authority.

"A holistic approach is needed to tackle this serious crime, including education at a young age.

"It is of huge concern that the new MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has served a custodial sentence for a violent act against a woman.

"MPs are pillars of the community, who should uphold and set exemplary standards.

"What sort of example is it setting for the younger generation if their MP has a conviction for a violent act against a woman?

"And how can a victim feel comfortable seeking help from someone who has themself been a perpetrator?

"I urge the government to look at parliamentary rules for MPs."

James McMurdock at the election count in Tilbury.

Independent councillor Gary Byrne said: "Obviously I will support Cllr Arnold's motion and I would like to add that, when the agenda was released, I sent a copy to our new MP James McMurdock, saying I would be happy to read out a statement from him. He didn't respond. He's obviously not bothered."

And Conservative Cllr Barry Johnson expressed his view, saying: "As a crime this is pretty despicable. There should be a rethink at the top that shouldn't allow this to happen.

"I have a wife, I have a daughter and a granddaughter and daughters-in-law. To think at some point they may have to seek advice from a member of parliament, but before doing so might have to look at his criminal record first just appals me."

Labour councillor Cici Manwa said she was speaking for her group when saying: "We are united as a Labour group in our complete and utter intolerance of violence against women and girls.

"This is why the recent revelations about the newly-elected MP are deeply disturbing and unnerving for many of us here today.

"As a young woman in the political space this is an issue that I truly feel strongly about.

"What I find perhaps the most frightening is young people look up to those in positions of power. That it is why we denounce any behaviour by any member that inflicts harm and malintent.

"This is a very serious issue that is escalating in prevalence and severity, which is why when we talk about this in the chamber it's paramount that we all condemn perpetrators of the crime and conduct ourselves with the passion, empathy and seriousness that this issue deserves. 

"This is an issue that transcends party political point-scoring and thus I implore each and every one of us here today to vote in favour of the motion and stand together in commitment of eradicating the scourge of gender-based violence from our wards, our borough and our communities at large."

However, her words about Labour unity were challenged when Cllr Cecil rose to speak.

He said: "When I left the Royal Navy in 1972 I answered an advert in the Gazette for probation volunteers. and I became a probation volunteer.

"And when I went to work in Dunton a man came up to me and said 'You changed my life by the work that you did for me when I was a young person.

"Rehabilitation is an important part of the justice system. It has been sadly, sadly, neglected over these last 20 odd years.

"If this man's sentence is spent, I think you will be wasting your time.

"Once a sentence is spent, there is no way back that he can be recalled to custodial sentence.

"He has rehabilitated and is now a married man with four children and I would like to speak for all rehabilitated criminals who have changed. They do change. And change for the better.

"And they don't want, and don't need, to be hammered by this council."    

Cllr Arnold greeted Cllr Cecil's words by saying she was 'shocked' but that he has a right to his opinion.

Cllr Cecil was the only member to vote against the motion, with all others present supporting it.

However, after the meeting Cllr Arnold issued a statement saying: "Politicians are human beings and minor transgressions committed before they are elected should not always be held against them. However, some crimes are so serious that it is simply unacceptable for someone who has committed them to hold high public office, especially when it has resulted in a prison term."

Cllr Arnold added: "I cannot in any way understand how a Labour councillor could oppose calls to condemn violent crime.

"My motion was clear – it called on councillors to reaffirm our opposition to violence against women and girls.

"Cllr Cecil's decision to vote against this may now signal to some that he condones a form of violence that has killed thousands of women and young girls. Even if he did not wish to condemn a particular individual, there is no justification for voting against the very clear wording of my motion which called for unity against violence.

"I call on him to publicly apologise and in the meantime, we wait to know what action the Labour party will now take against him."

James McMurdock at Corringham's Wyldecrest Club with Reform leader Nigel Farage.

Mr McMurdock explained the offence happened when he was 19 and that he had "pushed his girlfriend".

His statement continued: "Despite us both being very drunk, I handed myself into the police immediately and admitted my fault. I was charged for what I did, not for what has been claimed, and I faced the consequences then and paid for my action in full.

The day after his election, James McMurdock enjoyed a triumphant visit to the Wyldcrest Club in Corringham where he and his party leader celebrated with many young local supporters.

"It was the realisation of what happened that night and the shame I felt over it that led me to turn my life around."

Addressing his role as a new MP, his statement added: "As a Member of Parliament, sworn in on the Holy Bible, my job is to represent with empathy and care all our constituents.

"I hope you believe me when I say I know how growth and redemption feels in ways that many others cannot.

"To this day I feel deeply sorry for the hurt I caused that cold, drunken evening 20 years ago."

The debate at Thurrock Council can be viewed via this link.