Councillors to get sensitive data access

FIFE’S councillors are to be given access to potentially sensitive personal data about constituents amid fears for their safety.

The 75 individuals elected by the public will be given the same access rights as Fife Council employees to the violent marker system (VMS), which was set up a year ago in response to incidents or threats directed at local authority staff. It’s understood the move comes after one Fife councillor, who asked not to be named, received a death threat earlier this year and in light of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox last June.

It has also emerged that North-East Fife MP Stephen Gethins had a newspaper cutting put through his door, though there was no direct threat to him.

The VMS, which highlights warning “markers” against the names of the public classed as being potentially violent or hazardous in any way, was put in place in March 2016 at the request of trade unions and employees.

They were concerns that as workers become more mobile and cover larger areas, they would be less familiar with addresses and residents, putting them at greater risk of potentially violent situations.

It comes in spite of concerns the local authority could potentially face sanctions should there be any breach of the Data Protection Act 1998, which says personal data must be processed fairly and lawfully.