Yorkshire news: Pensioner told ‘DO NOT’ contact local councillor amid row over ‘biological women-only’ event
Police threatened a retired college lecturer with arrest if he continued to contact his local councillor about a women-only fundraising event.
Dave Boardman, 67, was visited by officers at his Hebden Bridge home after councillor Rebecca Boden complained about emails he sent regarding his daughter’s event that excluded trans women.
The officers filmed the interaction with body cameras during the February 2023 visit.
The Boardmans were shocked when two officers arrived at their home in West Yorkshire to question them about a harassment claim.
He added: “I’ve only contacted her because she’s my councillor. She’s a councillor and that venue is a publicly funded venue.”
Later, he said: “The whole thing is ridiculous, but sadly it’s a sign of the times of what’s happening to our democracy.”
The dispute began in January 2023 over a “women-only” fundraising event at a community theatre.
The event was organised for Dave’s daughter Cathy to raise money for legal costs in an employment tribunal.
She claimed unfair dismissal after students complained she was transphobic for asking them to debate whether drag acts were sexist.
The fundraiser was temporarily cancelled following complaints it wasn’t trans-inclusive as it only invited biological females.
After the cancellation, Dave sent several emails to Boden, believing she was encouraging a campaign against his daughter’s fundraiser.
Boden replied that she was unaware the event was for his daughter and claimed it breached equality laws.
She accused Dave of being aggressive and said his emails were “defamatory, libellous and potentially constituted harassment.”
Dave denied any aggression, saying it was “completely reasonable” to question a public representative.
Boden, who is now an independent councillor and no longer part of the Labour Party, defended her position.
The pensioner’s daughter claimed unfair dismissal after students complained she was transphobic for asking them to debate whether drag acts were sexist
GETTY
She stated: “At no point in dealing with Mr Boardman was I acting as a councillor.”
She added that this had been “confirmed repeatedly to Mr Boardman by the monitoring office for Calderdale metropolitan borough council.”
West Yorkshire police said they received a harassment report from a complainant in Hebden Bridge in February 2023.
They recorded an offence as per standard practices but determined no crime had been committed after investigation.
The police stated: “The footage has been fully reviewed and it is deemed our officers acted and advised appropriately to prevent any further issues or any crimes occurring.”
