National children’s commissioner labels footage ‘disgraceful’ but Barkly council’s Jeffrey McLaughlin says force used as part of a ‘lawful citizen’s arrest’ was ‘entirely reasonable’
National children’s commissioner labels footage ‘disgraceful’ but Barkly council’s Jeffrey McLaughlin says force usedmayor is resisting calls to resign after “disturbing” and “sickening” video footage emerged showing him pinning down an Aboriginal boy while a man threatened to “kill” and “punch” the child.
Another man is seen threatening the child, saying, “You’re lucky I don’t punch you right in the head,” and if he “catches you around here again, I will kill you” while pressing his boot on the child’s head. “The force I used to apprehend the youth was entirely reasonable in the circumstances,” McLaughlin said. “I immediately called NT Police and requested their attendance at the scene.”He said the “spontaneous remarks and conduct” of the second man in the footage had been “rightly described as inappropriate” but he said he had not made those comments nor had he encouraged the man’s actions.The mayor and Barkly regional council have been contacted for further comment.
The Arrernte and Luritja woman said the video was inexcusable, addding: “We cannot ignore this sort of behaviour and violent threats made towards children. I call on Mr McLaughlin to do the right thing, set an example to his community, and resign immediately.”
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