Wandsworth council’s Tory leader Ravi Govindia criticised over ‘crass joke’ about suicide

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The leader of a flagship Conservative London borough came under fire today for making a “crass joke” about suicide during a council meeting.  

Ravi Govindia, who has run Wandsworth for nearly a decade, said he was glad Labour councillor Judi Gasser did not work for the Samaritans because “her manner and her composure is such that you simply would want to end your miseries”.

He also suggested Cllr Gasser would not give “any hope whatsoever to anyone in difficulties”. The Samaritans is a charity which provides emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide.  

Cllr Govindia made the comments during a full council meeting held over video call on Wednesday evening. It came after Cllr Gasser challenged him over the Conservatives’ handling of the pandemic, food poverty, and homelessness in the borough. 

She had told Tories: “Instead of crowing about all that you have done, you should be thinking about the remaining gaps in provision and how those can be met in the future.”  

Cllr Govindia said: “I am so glad that Councillor Gasser does not spend time counselling people who are at the other end of a Samaritans’ call.  

“Because I don’t think she gives any hope whatsoever to anyone in difficulties. Her style, her manner and her composure is such that you simply would want to end your miseries.” 

Following the comments Cllr Gasser said: “Councillor Govindia has just said some outrageous things about me. Dreadful, dreadful accusations. 

“The things that I quoted were things that were true that happened in my ward. I was taking those phone calls, I was trying to sort it out.  

“Of course I don’t talk in that way to residents…I will say I will do everything I can to help you and I am going to sort this out and I do sort it out for them. So how dare you make those accusations against me.”

Cllr Govindia responded: “The entire tone of the delivery was actually not uplifting and that is what I commented on.”

The exchange took place during a debate over a motion on Wandsworth’s response and recovery to the pandemic. 

Commenting after the council meeting, Cllr Gasser, who represents Furzedown, told the Standard: “It wasn't the personal attack that upset me, but the entire disregard for people who live day-in and day-out with mental illnesses and for those who have been bereaved by suicide.  

"Suicide is not a joke and should never be used as a joke, or to score a cheap political point. The Leader should apologise, withdraw his statement and undergo sensitivity training."

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, shadow cabinet minister for mental health and MP for Tooting, said: “This time of year is always difficult for many of us, we should all be very sensitive of the things we say - words matter.

“Nobody in public office should make crass jokes about suicide, nor should they use it as a political football.  

“21 people sadly took their lives in Wandsworth last year, every one of those is a tragedy. The Council Leader should apologise and educate himself in the dangers of insensitive language.”

Last September Wandsworth Council tweeted on World Suicide Prevention Day to say they were supporting a London-wide campaign to encourage 100,000 people to complete free online training to spot warning signs and learn how to talk about suicide.

The Evening Standard has approached both Ravi Govindia and Wandsworth Council for comment.  

Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit  www.samaritans.org

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