Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Council leader blasts SNP conduct
‘Childish’ behaviour blasted
North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue has demanded an apology from the area’s SNP group for their conduct during a meeting last week in what he called the worst scenes he has witnessed “in over 40 years of elected politics”.
The Labour group claim SNP representatives showed “blatant disrespect” and played music during other councillors’ contributions, while also accusing one member of “swearing during the proceedings”, at Thursday’s controversial meeting, which was s broadcast online.
However, SNP group p leader Tom Johnston labelled d Labour’s response to the e meeting “hysterical” and d a “gross misinterpretation n of what went on”. He said d the refusal to discuss an n SNP motion concerning g reports from closed- door r Cosla leaders’ meetings s “quite rightly led to a series of questions by SNP group members”.
Following the meeting, Councillor Logue asked the local authority’s chief executive to make the Standards Commission aware of the recording of the proceedings.
A war of words has broken out between North Lanarkshire’s Labour and SNP groups over what council leader Jim Logue has labelled the worst scenes he has witnessed “in over 40 years of elected politics”.
The row stems from a council meeting held on Thursday where Labour claim SNP representatives showed “blatant disrespect for the public” and played music dur ing other councillors’ contributions, while also accusing one member of “swearing during the proceedings”.
But SNP group leader Tom Johnston hit back, stating that Labour’s response was “hysterical” and a “gross misinterpretation of what went on at the meeting”.
Councillor Johnston also says Provost Jean Jones’ refusal to discuss the SNP’S motion on a request to Councillor Logue to submit his reports on closed-door Cosla leaders’ meetings to all 77 elected councillors “quite rightly led to a series of questions on procedure by SNP group members”.
The Labour group is calling for an apology from the SNP and Councillor Logue has asked the local authority’s chief executive to make the Standards Commission aware of the recording of the controversial meeting.
Councillor Logue added: “The disgraceful scenes we saw at Thursday’s meeting are the worst I’ve seen in over 40 years in elected politics.
“Time and again, the SNP sought to disrupt proceedings, undermine the Provost and her chairing of the meeting, and distract other members from making contributions.
“To play music in order to distract other councillors from speaking, or to swear when struggling with technology, is simply unacceptable and the SNP group should be ashamed of how they conducted themselves.
“Members of the public rightly expect all councillors to debate the issues and represent them at these meetings, not indulge in childish games.
“As a result, I have asked the chief executive to make the Standards Commission aware of the recording of Thursday’s meeting to see what action may be taken.
“In the meantime, at the very least, the SNP group owe the people of North Lanarkshire an apology for their behaviour.”
Councillor Johnston responded: “The Labour group leader’s hysterical statement bears all the hallmarks of a Labour party trailing well behind the SNP in the polls in Scotland. It is a gross misrepresentation of what went on at the council meeting.
“The SNP group dominated the meeting. We made six of the meeting’s 10 agenda motions and all five of the agenda questions.
“Councillor Logue was asked to agree to submit reports from himself on closed-door Cosla leaders’ meetings to all 77 elected councillors.
“The Labour Provost refused discussion on this SNP motion. This led, quite rightly, to a series of questions on procedure by SNP group members.
“The music interruption from one source is typical of the interruptions we constantly get on these new electronic meetings through members forgetting to press the mute button on their laptops in their own homes.
“Likewise, the swear-word incident falls into this unmute category. The member immediately apologised to all councillors and officers.”