Councillors go to war over ‘lack or respect’
Paul Mack reported to watchdog
LOCA/L DEMOCRACY REPORTER
A mischievous councillor has been reported to the Ethical Standards Commissioner amid a l l e g ations he has “disrespected” a political rival.
Paul Mack, whose behaviour has seen him suspended twice already, could be in trouble again following a series of controversial emails.
In an email to Councillor Eddie Devine, which was sent to all Renfrewshire Council elected members and the director of housing , Councillor Mack accused him of abusing his position to secure his daughter a council house.
In other correspondence, which has been submitted to the commissioner for investigation, Councillor Mack has also made various comments about the council’s chief executive.
Councillor Devine has had enough and reported the controversial member.
Leaked documents have explained his reasoning.
He wrote to the commissioner: “The misconduct I am complaining about is disrespect of colleagues, namely myself.
“Please see email attached which falsely accuses me of seeking preferential treatment for myself and my family and by implication council staff.”
If the commissioner deems Councillor Mack to have breached the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, he could be referred for a hearing in front of the Standards Commission.
Councillor Mack, who represents Paisley Southeast, has been pulled in front of the Standards Commission before.
In October 2016, the maverick was banned for three months from taking his place on the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board because of offensive comments to two councillors embarking on a council-funded trips.
A year later he was banned from politics for seven months after branding a rival an “SS officer” and another a bunny boiler.
Shortly after his return from that ban in September last year he wasted no time in stirring up more trouble.
In a council meeting he said of Councillor Devine’s daughter, who is also an elected member, if she wasn’t in politics “she would be in the holding room of The Jeremy Kyle Show.”
However, in June of this year, Councillor Mack was successful in securing an independent inquiry into the allocation of Karen Kennedy’s council house in Paisley, after he aired further claims of nepotism against Councillor Devine.
Councillor Mack had voiced suspicions of “impropriety” in the process of allocation, at the expense of a constituent, and had a motion passed ordering the situation to be investigated externally.
Councillor Devine has decided not to comment on the issue until the inquiry is complete.
The misconduct I am complaining about is disrespect of colleagues Councillor Eddie Devine