Labour PCC candidate Baird slammed for debate conduct

Labour’s candidate to become the elected Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Vera Baird, has been slammed for acting in a ‘rude and disrespectful’ manner towards a fellow participant in a campaign debate.

The comments follow a debate on LGBT issues at which Jonathan Wallace, a longstanding Liberal Democrat councillor and campaigner in Gateshead, represented the party’s PCC candidate, Newcastle councillor Peter Andras.

Each member of the panel was invited to give a 5 minute opening statement but whilst Jonathan Wallace was speaking, Vera Baird attempted to shout him down. Then whilst answering a question, Baird loudly interrupted him even though he had the microphone. Jonathan had to abandon answering the question but managed to suggest that Baird should allow people other than herself to answer questions from the audience.

When Jonathan wished her luck following the debate, Baird would only respond with a curt ‘whatever’.

Following the debate, Jonathan said:

“That sort of conduct might be acceptable on the floor of the House of Commons but I don’t think it’s how people would want or expect their Police & Crime Commissioner to act.

“Instead of engaging constructively with people who have different views and approaches, as we Liberal Democrats have always sought to do, it seems Vera Baird would rather bully them into silence. I hope she wouldn't behave in the same way towards a member of the public who disagreed with her work as PCC."

On hearing of Vera Baird’s aggression towards a key member of his campaign team, Peter Andras commented:

“I am disappointed to hear that Vera Baird has treated Jonathan in this sort of dismissive and discourteous manner. Whatever the differences between our parties’ views on policing issues, everyone deserves the right to have their say and make their positions clear during debates like Monday’s.

“I have known Jonathan for a number of years and know him to be a decent man with a wide-ranging knowledge of both LGBT and policing issues, which is why he was the perfect person to take part in that particular debate.

“I hope Ms Baird will rethink her approach and will in future conduct herself in a more respectful manner.”