THE leader of Basildon Council has spoken out on the “disgusting abuse” he has received from Facebook trolls.

Labour boss Gavin Callaghan was subjected to the attacks - in which he was labelled a highly offensive name - on Friday.

Echo:

Leader - Gavin Callaghan

Echo:

Sympathy - Conservative Andrew Schrader

The troll also repeatedly used a number of swear words to make their point.

Mr Callaghan said: “I’ve got a thick skin but it was horrible.

“I’m encouraging our councillors to engage on social media but they’ll find it difficult if they’re constantly getting abused like this.

“I’m not afraid to go on social media but others may be.”

He added: “We’re trying to make the public aware of all the good things we’re doing for the community.

“You can’t always please everyone.”

Mr Callaghan’s words come after the Echo reported on politicians urging the public to remember they are also human beings after suffering abuse and hostility on the campaign trail for the local elections in May.

Andrew Gordon, fellow Labour councillor on Basildon Council, added: “Gavin didn’t deserve that.

“It’s vile, you can’t just swear at someone like that.

“Criticism is part of the job but this just isn’t part of it.

“Unfortunately it’s the way politics is going; it’s not how it should be.

“Gavin gets a lot of abuse, but he’s ploughing on.

“He’s straight to the point and honest, just how it should be.

“It’s totally unacceptable.”

Andrew Schrader, a Conservative councillor for Billericay East, added: “Most councillors are thick skinned enough.

“I try and keep my social media accounts business like to avoid problems like this.

“Most people are respectful; Gavin’s obviously encountered one of the minority.

“We’ve had our spats on social media before, I try and avoid all that now.”

James Courtenay, Southend’s former deputy Conservative group leader, also slammed the abusers and spoke in May of how online abuse of politicians is on the rise and how it must come to and end.