Councillor criticised for social media posts
Jarvis shared posts from“derogatory”page
A councillor has apologised after sharing posts on social media from a page entitled “Alex Salmond is a deluded w***er”.
Cllr Anne Jarvis, who represents the Strathtay ward at Perth and Kinross Council, shared the two posts on Sunday, March 11 at 10.05pm and 10.03pm on her councillor’s social media page, entitled “Cllr Anne Jarvis - Strathtay”.
The two posts the councillor shared criticised the SNP government’s potential plans to increase the eligibility age for free bus passes, and a campaign to boycott a Scottish biscuit company for using the Union flag in their branding.
The bus pass post included a mockup bus pass with Alex Salmond’s face on the body of Rab C Nesbitt, with his name reading “Alexei Salmondski”.
Cllr Jarvis has been criticised by Cllr Dave Doogan, leader of the SNP at Perth and Kinross Council.
Cllr Doogan, who represents Perth City North, said: “It is ill advised for an elected member to do that, the name couldn’t possibly have passed her by. If that is the name of the page it is very clear what she has done.
“It is very interesting to note a page of this nature is something that Cllr Jarvis thinks is acceptable for an elected member to follow.
“She also clearly thinks it’s acceptable to share material from this page in her capacity as a councillor, which is extremely unfortunate and does no service to Anne Jarvis, to her colleagues in the Conservatives, or to elected members of Perth and Kinross more generally.
“I hope she will look to take down any post relating to this page.”
Likewise, Cllr Grant Laing, deputy leader of the SNP at Perth and Kinross Council and also a ward representative of the Strathtay region, added: “This is ridiculous and shocking to put these messages out there whether it is inadvertently or not. Although we don’t share political views we work together to benefit the Strathtay ward.
“I am very disappointed she feels she has to go to this level and put things out there that are not factually correct as well as accepting information from such a biased and derogatory site.”
However Cllr Laing added: “I would The Facebook page criticised former First Minister Alex Salmond Cllr Anne Jarvis not have imagined she would have been doing this intentionally.”
The PA contacted Cllr Jarvis, who apologised for any upset.
She said: “These pictures were sent to me and as they illustrated topics raised constantly with me - support for Scottish businesses and possible changes to free bus passes - I left them there.
“Older people are very worried about the threatened loss of their free bus pass as this can be their only way of getting about.
“When I reviewed sent posts and messages I became aware of the original website where the posts had originated from and I removed them immediately. I can only say how sorry I am if people were upset as it was unintentional.”
I am very disappointed she feels she has to go to this level