Councillor in court on abuse image charges

NO PLEA: Tory Michael Jamieson is also secretary of the Perform in Perth festival

A Perth councillor has appeared in court charged with possessing obscene images of children.

Tory Michael Jamieson has been suspended by his party as he faces allegations he had illicit pictures stored on his home computer.

The 69-year-old, who was elected to the Perth City South ward in May, made no plea during his private appearance from custody at Perth Sheriff Court.

Jamieson was released on bail and ordered not to use any internet-enabled devices in the interim.

Ian Campbell, who leads Perth and Kinross Council’s Tory-led administration last night demanded Jamieson’s resignation.

A former music teacher, Jamieson is also secretary of the annual Perform in Perth festival, which draws about 4,000 young performers each year, as well as a director of the annual Perth Festival of the Arts.

A Tory councillor has been suspended by his party and ordered to resign after inappropriate images of children were allegedly found on his home computer.

Former music teacher Michael Jamieson, who represents Perth City South, has appeared in court accused of possessing indecent files.

The 69-year-old made no plea during a brief custody hearing at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday.

The charge relates to allegations between November 2015 and March 2016, although the number of images in the single charge has not been disclosed. Jamieson, the ex-president of a local rotary club, was released on bail.

Sheriff Michael Wood included an interim internet ban as part of Jamieson’s bail conditions.

Another court date has not been set.

A Scottish Conservatives spokesman confirmed they had taken action in light of the allegations.

“As soon as the party became aware of these allegations Councillor Jamieson was suspended, pending the outcome of this case,” he said.

Ian Campbell, leader of the Tory-led administration, told the Courier: “I have demanded the resignation of Councillor Jamieson and he has agreed this. I expect to have his resignation letter on my desk on Monday morning.”

Mr Jamieson, who became a councillor in May, is secretary of Perform in Perth, a festival held each year involving nearly 4,000 young performers from across the region.

He recently stood down as president of Perth Rotary Club, a position he took over in 2015 after previously serving between 2006 and 2007.

He was voted in to the Perth City South ward at this summer’s local government elections with 1,757 votes.

In an online biography, he wrote: “My background in the entertainment industry and as a music teacher has given me great experience in dealing with people in both the public and private sector.

“I worked for Perth and Kinross Council instrumental music service, administer Perform in Perth and serve on many national music festival committees.

“Locally, I am twice past president of the Rotary Club of Perth St Johns.

“My key focus will be the residents of Perth City South and education, in particular the instrumental music service which has suffered many threats recently.”

He said his priorities for the area included campaigning to bring in more businesses to Perth.