Council bullying claims don’t ring true

Sir, – I could not allow the remarks made by Councillor Linda Holt in The Courier (November 18) to pass without comment.

Cllr Holt suggests that there is culture of misogyny and bullying within Fife Council but during my 10 years as an elected member of that council I did not, even once, witness anything other than courteous and friendly behaviour between elected members themselves and with members of staff within the council.

It was my experience that within cross party committees all groups got on well together and members of one political party regularly made friends with those of a different political persuasion.

I had a vast number of friends during my time as a Conservative councillor and found that in general councillors cared deeply about their constituents and did all in their power to resolve many difficult problems.

All elected members work to a code of conduct which includes treating everyone with respect and I would like to reassure the residents of Fife that this was the situation with all Fife councillors and staff members during my two terms as a councillor which ended in May this year.

It would be tragic if someone with a problem felt unable to contact one of their local councillors because the impression had been given that male councillors are misogynistic bullies who could not show the compassion expected of every elected member of Fife Council.

I cannot believe the situation has changed in a few short months to one where bullying and misogyny have become commonplace which appears to be what Cllr Holt is suggesting. Dorothea Morrison. 19 Lade Braes, St Andrews.

No bullying culture: Fife House, headquarters of the council.