A council leader and deputy leader have been slammed for blocking people on social media.

Several posts on Twitter suggest some users living in Redbridge have been blocked by council leader Jas Athwal and deputy leader Kam Rai. The tweets accused the councillors of refusing to listen to those they represent.

But Cllr Rai said he had been harassed and abused online and the people who are blocked are not the victims.

In a tweet seen by the LDR service, user Morris Hickey wrote: “(Cllr Athwal is) a tw*t.”

Another user known as #Anticorruption Group Redbridge wrote: “We have to start a campaign and protest to stop this man ruining lives.”

Les Kaye, from Hainault, is a Twitter user who is blocked by both councillors.

One of his tweets read: “How can it be right for a council leader to take such a draconian action, can you ask him why, as hundreds of us that are blocked are unable to communicate with the man. #jastheripper.”

Mr Kaye said none of his communications have been abusive: “They (Cllr Athwal and Cllr Rai) have gone on a social media blocking spree, which means that none of their constituents can make quick and easy contact with them through this platform.

“I accept that because of his unpopular policies he is going to attract criticism, but surely an elected representative is working for us, the people, and unless these communications are offensive or abusive which they clearly are not, then he has no right to be acting in this manner to the residents of Redbridge.

“Cllr Athwal is acting in a cynical and unprofessional manner. The people of Redbridge deserve better than to be treated like a colony of North Korea.”

Deputy leader Cllr Rai responded: “If people want to waste their time writing posts which are false, smearing and personal then I have no interest in interacting with them. The same goes for posters who have a history of racist comments.

“I have witnessed colleagues harassed for nothing more than having a different opinion and trying to do their best, and if you cannot remain civil then you can expect to be blocked.

“Twitter is not the forum for debate and residents who wish to meet me or contact me can do so through email, surgeries and telephone, my colleagues and I always face residents whatever the issue but I have little time or patience for faceless and abusive internet trolls.”

Cllr Rai also raised concerns about people sharing councillors’ addresses on a map for all to see.

He said: “While councillor addresses are a matter of public record, I have seen a colleague’s shared and the implication is at best harassment at worst something more sinister, and yet these same people would have you believe they are the victims if they are blocked.”

Cllr Athwal has been contacted for comment.