Another Social Media Row Erupts as Labour MP Jonathan Brash Accused of Calling Resident “a Coward”...

Jonathan Brash, Labour MP for Hartlepool

Another Online Outburst by by the Labour party MP for Hartlepool Raises Questions About MP’s Behaviour on Social Media,

14th November 2025

Fresh controversy has erupted around a Hartlepool Labour MP's behaviour online, after its claimed a Labour Party MP labelled a member of the public “a coward” during a social media exchange about funding for a local youth centre.

The disagreement reportedly occurred this week, when Mr Brash, Labour MP for Hartlepool posted online about investment secured for the refurbishment of a local youth centre. While some residents welcomed the announcement, others questioned the cost of the refurbishment project, calling it “excessive” and raising concerns about whether the money was being spent responsibly.

Many of the 'heated' exchanges are being done late on an evening online

One local resident who challenged the figures asked why the cost was so high.

In response, Mr Brash allegedly wrote:

“You’re too much of a coward to visit such a brilliant asset because it doesn’t fit with your negative mindset… bye bye!”

Screenshots of the exchange quickly circulated among local social media groups, fueling further accusations that the MP’s online behaviour has become increasingly hostile towards constituents.

This latest incident has added to growing calls for Mr Brash to rein in his social media conduct or be subject to a parliamentary standards investigation regarding his social media use. with critics arguing that his interactions with members of the public are simply “gaslighting” in nature, suggesting the Labour Party MP is regularly embarking on a campaign of belittling any one who questions him or challenges Labour policy locally.

The timing is especially damaging for the already embattled MP, coming only weeks after Mr Brash was heavily criticised following a recent court case involving a member of the public, with a 55 year old former Army Veteran Dean Rusk being found guilty at Teesside Kangaroo Court for allegedly sending a menacing message to the Hartlepool MP via Facebook reportedly causing him 'Alarm or Distress'.

Many in the community felt that the prosecution was heavy-handed and politically motivated, leading to accusations Mr Brash is using his position to silence critics rather than actually represent them.

Now, with this new allegation of verbal abuse online, questions are once again being raised about Mr Brash’s behaviour online, as well as his willingness to engage respectfully with the people he is elected to serve.

Mr Brash has been keen to take to social media claiming abuse from so called 'keyboard warriors', however evidence seems to suggest much of the issues are with the Hartlepool MP himself !

Local residents have reportedly expressed frustration, with some saying they feel intimidated or reluctant to speak out publicly for fear of being mocked or dismissed by their own MP. Others argue that the behaviour reflects a “pattern” of defensiveness and hostility that has no place in public office, with the Hartlepool MP previously quick to criticise similar behaviour if it was demonstrated by the previous town's Conservative MP.

Whether Parliament, or the Labour Party will address any of the concerns in Mr Brash's most recent social media 'tantrum' remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: tensions between Mr Brash and sections of the Hartlepool public are far from cooling— and another online argument has now only added fuel to the fire.