Torfaen Council’s leader today told councillors that he’s talking to the police about “issues” to make sure members can work safely as “public representatives”.

Councillor Anthony Hunt spoke at the start of this morning’s full council meeting in the civic centre in Pontypool. He didn’t share any specific incidents but explained how his “door is always” open if any councillors are being abused in person or online.

He said: “The welfare and wellbeing and security of all members is a very important issue to me. I know you all do a very hard job, you all work very hard and are all entitled to the respect and protection for the job that you do in public.

“That is especially prevalent in a social media age where sometimes the work that we do can put us into contact with some people who don’t want to behave respectfully back towards us.

“If you do have any concerns I’ve always got an open door for you to come and speak with me. I am taking up issues with police and with officers to make sure that all members are entitled to go about their business as public representatives, whichever ward you represent and whichever party you represent because that’s an important issue to me.”