THRONE OUT
Dad of TV star Rose Leslie suspended from Tory party for not paying his council tax
THE father of Game of Thrones star Rose Leslie has been suspended by the Tory party for not paying council tax.
But Councillor Sebastian Leslie – who we revealed is thousands of pounds in arrears – insists he is only defying the system to highlight a legal campaign.
Until last week, the wealthy Aberdeen member had not attended any council meetings for four months and is now accused of bringing the Conservative Party into disrepute. Confirming that he was now acting as an independent, Leslie said: “I understand why the party have taken this action – and I have no problem with this at all.
“I have been running a campaign against the degradation to the Scottish justice system by the SNP since I was elected and, in order to raise publicity on this matter, I have overstepped the mark and have gone slow on my council tax.
“I, therefore, accept that I need to be disciplined on that matter.
“I have submitted, some months ago, and my lawyers are in conversation with Aberdeenshire Council about releasing the full details of why I have run this campaign.
“Aberdeenshire Council have refused to release those details, which in my view should be released under the Freedom of Information Act.”
Leslie – whose daughter played Ygritte in Game of Thrones – said the battle had been going on for a decade but he was not prepared to give further details.
The West Garioch councillor has attended 12 out of the 26 council meetings he was due at since being elected last May.
The chieftain of Clan Leslie, he and his family lived in the ancestral home Lickleyhead Castle, Aberdeenshire, when Rose was a child.
In 2013, it went on the market for offers over £1.35million. In February 2016, Rose’s parents were reported to have moved back into the castle but it is now listed on Airbnb. It is not clear what property the council tax bill applies to.
A Scottish Tory party spokesman said: “Councillor Leslie is subject to a disciplinary investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
The leader of the Conservatives in Aberdeenshire, Jim Gifford, added: “Seb Leslie has been suspended by the party and that is a personal matter for him to resolve with them.”
I’ve overstepped the mark & gone slow on my tax
SEB LESLIE ADMITS NON-PAYMENT