Councillor’s ‘silly’ comments over kids’ ward spark outrage
‘Bullying’ SNP politician is reported to watchdog
The SNP leader of Renfrewshire Council faces an ethics probe after he was reported to Scotland’s public standards watchdog over comments made during a bizarre online spat.
Councillor Iain Nicolson has been referred to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (CESPLS).
This comes after a comment posted from an account in his name to the Kids Need Our Ward (KNOW) Facebook page sparked outrage.
Furious parents are now demanding an apology from Councillor Nicolson over remarks made on the Facebook page of the group dedicated to saving ward 15 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
The comments included a post by the elected member correcting the spelling of another users, which reads: “Fowl is a bird. Foul is the word you’re reaching for. Only campaign I know where the more you do the less support you get. Wonder why?”
Mum- of- t h ree Claire Manson, from Johnstone, was involved in the online argument and has now lodged an official complaint with the body charged with upholding standards among elected members.
She said: “I thought his comments were absolutely ridiculous. The page is there to raise awareness of the campaign to save ward 15 and he comes on with his childish bullying.
“He is a grown man and a very senior public figure. You would not expect these sorts of silly comments, with him sorting people’s spelling. “It made me very angry. “If he wants to say these sorts of things behind closed doors then fair enough, but to do it on a public Facebook page is just not acceptable.”
The 38-year-old care worker believes Mr Nicolson should be held to account for his outburst.
She added: “I got involved in the argument, but I’m not an elected councillor, I’m responsible only to myself. I haven’t signed a code of conduct like he has. I was really angry when I read what he had written.”
Councillor Nicolson is no stranger to the CESPLS. He was banned from attending meetings for a full year in 2005 after accusing council chiefs of “cronyism”.
Eddie Devine, leader of the Labour group at Renfrewshire Council, wrote to Mr Nicolson demanding an explanation for his actions.
He said: “I wrote to him to ask if the account making the comments online were indeed his and if they were, if he thought that sort of behaviour was befitting of the leader of Renfrewshire Council.
“He responded simply by thanking me for my letter.”
Councillor Nicolson refused to comment.
The page is to raise awarness of the campaign and he comes on with his childish bullying