Councillor is suspended in racism row
SNP take action over ‘intolerable’ language
AN SNP councillor has been suspended for using grossly offensive racist language.
Julie Dettbarn said in a social media post that she felt like a “n ***** in the woodpile”.
She deleted her Facebook account after being contacted about the comment by our sister paper the Ayrshire Post.
Dettbarn, 56, said: “During a group chat with SNP colleagues, I used an outdated phrase that I recognise as being entirely unacceptable. I apologised to colleagues for the offensive nature of that phrase at the time.
“It was a lazy and stupid comment and there is no excuse for that.”
Dettbarn, who represents Kyle on South Ayrshire Council, has resigned as health and social work chairwoman.
She added: “People in South Ayrshire expect better than that from those holding elected office.”
When the Post first contacted Dettbarn about the racist insult last week, she replied: “I don’t know anything about it.”
In an email two days later, she apologised.
SNP council leader Douglas Campbell said: “While I can accept Julie’s apology, we can’t avoid the fact the terminology she used was intolerable and, as a result, she has been suspended.”
South of Scotland Tory MSP Brian Whittle said: “If councillor Dettbarn thought that it was OK to say these things then she needs to seriously consider whether it’s appropriate for her to serve as a councillor.”
A council spokeswoman said any action against Dettbarn was a matter for her party.