Portsmouth Black Lives Matters members hit out at decision to dismiss complaints against Linda Symes

MEMBERS of the Black Lives Matter movement in Portsmouth have criticised the decision to dismiss complaints against a councillor for sharing offensive posts.
The Black Lives Matter protest and march took place in Portsmouth on Saturday, June 27. Pictured is: Anita Anongu, 52 from Waterlooville.  Picture: David GeorgeThe Black Lives Matter protest and march took place in Portsmouth on Saturday, June 27. Pictured is: Anita Anongu, 52 from Waterlooville.  Picture: David George
The Black Lives Matter protest and march took place in Portsmouth on Saturday, June 27. Pictured is: Anita Anongu, 52 from Waterlooville. Picture: David George

Councillor Linda Symes will face no action from Portsmouth City Council after the city solicitor and a panel of her peers ruled she had not been performing an official function at the time.

It comes after 38 people complained after she shared posts about murdered soldier Lee Rigby and the stabbing of a seven-year-old girl, comparing them to the outrage at the death of US black man George Floyd when he was arrested.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His death sparked a wave of protests under the Black Lives Matter movement across the globe.

Linda Symes pictured in 2014. Picture: Sarah Standing (141517-6245)Linda Symes pictured in 2014. Picture: Sarah Standing (141517-6245)
Linda Symes pictured in 2014. Picture: Sarah Standing (141517-6245)

Now organisers of several peaceful protests in Portsmouth have said they are unhappy with the decision in Cllr Symes’ case.

Anita Anongu, 52, from Waterlooville, has attended the protests and said she has experienced racism her whole life – and received a death threat over Facebook.

Read More
All 38 complaints against Tory councillor Linda Symes for sharing 'racist' posts...

She said: ‘These posts spread hate and encourage racist views.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Is this lady that arrogant or stupid to think (what) she’s posting won't be attractive and fuelling racists?

‘She needs to be educated in what diversity looks like because clearly she doesn't have a clue.

‘I would love her to have walked a week in my shoes to actually get a snippet. She needs to stop fuelling the racist fire and take responsibility for her stupidity.’

Yesterday The News revealed city solicitor Peter Baulf’s decision on dismissing the complaints said that Cllr Symes had apologised and was to undergo equalities training.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But she told this newspaper she had not apologised, as doing so would mean she is racist. She said: ‘I didn’t apologise because I’m not racist – to apologise I would have had to have been racist.’

Mariam Daniel, 24, from Southsea, is one of the organisers of Portsmouth’s protests.

She said: ‘If a councillor has openly shown that they can’t understand the way that systematic racism negatively affects black people there is a clear problem.’

She added: ‘To apologise would be the start of accepting the hurt implemented on the public by the offensive views she shared – 35 people may have sent in statements of support however over 4,000 people signed a petition for the Conservative Party and Portsmouth City Council to take immediate action against Linda.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cllr Symes remains suspended by the Conservative Party while an internal probe continues.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.