Essex County Council has defended paying blogger and internet prankster Simon Harris nearly £500,000 between 2020 and 2023. The money was primarily used to run a Facebook page supporting residents during the Covid-19 pandemic, the council said.
The local authority stated the funds also covered payments to other individuals for similar 'activity and campaigning', but were channelled through Mr Harris for 'expediency'. The Facebook group, initially called Essex Coronavirus Action and later renamed Essex Is United, aimed to reach residents, facilitate behaviour change, and assist the public health response.
Mr Harris, known for founding the satirical Southend News Network, said the page reached millions and mobilised 5,000 volunteers for shielding and vaccination efforts. He received £493,000 in 34 tranches from the public health budget, with the largest single payment of £100,000 in August 2021. The work was not put out to tender due to the pandemic's urgency.
Liberal Democrat opposition leader Mike Mackrory called the payments 'a matter of concern', questioning why an external individual was used instead of the council's own communications team. Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson, a target of Mr Harris's online trolling, sarcastically offered his 'best wishes' to Mr Harris amid the backlash.
Mr Harris said he has been vilified on social media and deleted his accounts. He reported allegations to Essex Police in July 2023. The council defended the payments, noting an established pre-pandemic contractor relationship and the need for rapid digital engagement during the national emergency.
