Dunfermline councillor calls out bullying at Fife Council

Aude Boubaker-Calder received backing for her motion that calls on the local authority to promote a culture of respect, inclusivity and accountability that's free from bullying, misogyny and discrimination.

The Lib Dem councillor, who represents the Dunfermline Central ward and is originally from Belgium, said: "I consider myself a survivor of this behaviour.

"I was spoken to disrespectfully by some individuals not only in here but also outside.

"I've been mocked for my speeches, either on my delivery or my accent, in this chamber.

"I've been criticised for delivering my newsletter with my daughter while my husband was commended for it!

READ MORE: NHS Fife used none of its Long Covid funding in last financial year

Dunfermline councillor Aude Boubaker-Calder said she was mocked for my speeches, either on my delivery or my accent, in this chamber at Fife Council. (Image: Fife Council)

"I've been verbally abused, almost run over by a supporter's car, questioned about my motherhood, my age, my capacity and my origin.

"I've been told to go back home to make the dinner and finish my chores. All because I'm a woman, born in another country, and a young woman in politics."

Cllr Boubaker-Calder said women were under-represented in politics and those that did choose to serve were subjected to "increasing abuse" on social media and elsewhere, which would put people off.

At last week's council meeting she said: "Incidents we've witnessed in Fife in the last couple of years are not isolated occurrences.

"They are symptomatic of a deeper, widespread issue, a culture of bullying, discrimination and misogyny that has infected for far too long the political sphere.

"Today I say enough is enough.

"Some may argue that such behaviour is nothing new, it's always been part of politics.

"I know political 'banter' is part of the job but I want to make clear that poor behaviour and personal attacks are never acceptable."

She added that councillors of all parties should be free to express their opinions without fear of harassment or discrimination.

Her original motion, which spoke of a "toxic culture" in the council chamber, was amended.

READ MORE: 'Pupils would be safer if only the parents who really had to drive took the car'

SNP councillor Sarah Neal gave her backing but said: "I'm really glad we can demonstrate some cross-party unity, which may contrast sharply with the image that was presented in the media last week.

"I just wish those cross-party, behind the scenes discussions that took place this week could have taken place before the original motion was published.

"It might have saved us from the inference that we are all toxic, poisonous, despicable and nasty people, which is far from the truth."

Seconding the motion, Labour councillor Jan Wincott said behaviours could improve: "This chamber is our place of work and as such everyone needs to be treated with respect.

"If we create an environment where members are reluctant to speak we are disadvantaging our electorate who put us here in the first place to be their voice."

Tory councillor Kathleen Leslie said she had, in nearly seven years at the council, never experienced any form of misogyny and stated: "Others may feel very differently but for me I'm glad that comments about a toxic culture have been removed because that's not been my experience."

She added: "We need to ensure we're mindful of how we speak to each other but I would certainly not want to see robust debate - provided it's not personal - being stifled whether that's here or in any of our parliaments as that is the beauty of democracy.

"We should be calling each other out, we should be debating and we should be doing that regularly."