Councillor reprimanded for misuse of email account

Lib Dem councillor used council email during general election campaign

A Fife Lib Dem councillor has been reprimanded after using his council email account for party political gain.

Councillor Tim Brett sent an email to the chairman of Drumoig Community Trust (DCT) asking for help in distributing campaign leaflets ahead of last year’s general election.

Stephen Gethins took the North East Fife seat for the SNP with just two votes between him and Lib Dem candidate Elizabeth Riches.

Former trust director and SNP activist Henry Orr raised the complaint against Mr Brett with the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

Yesterday, Mr Brett attended a hearing in Fife House, Glenrothes, which was conducted by the Standards Commission for Scotland (SCS).

It was revealed that Mr Orr had emailed DCT members warning them that responding to Mr Brett’s request could have “significant consequences” for the politically-neutral trust.

After the conclusion of the hearing, Mr Orr claimed Mr Brett’s breach of the Councillor’s Code of Conduct, which states members must not use equipment provided by the council for their own party’s political gain, could have swung the election result.

“An improper advantage was sought for the Liberal Democrat candidate Elizabeth Riches, via a Fife councillor’s relationship with Drumoig Community Trust,” said Mr Orr.

“This case is a warning to office bearers in other community organisations, as it highlights the risk of political exploitation if an organisation becomes too closely linked with one elected representative.”

On April 26 last year, Mr Brett had been in email contact with the chairman of DCT over the realignment of a footpath, and during the exchange asked if he and friends or neighbours would help deliver leaflets.

It was just days before the local elections, which took place on May 4, and campaigning had started for the snap general election on June 8.

Mr Brett was censured after the SCS determined his actions had fallen below the standards expected of those in public life.

However, the SCS noted it was a result of an inadvertent mistake.

Mr Brett did not dispute he had sent the email, saying: “That was wrong and I should not have done that, and I apologised to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life when this was drawn to my attention.”

The councillor said he was “probably tired” after months of campaigning, adding: “This has taught me a lesson”.

Picture: Kris Miller Councillor Tim Brett has apologised for the lapse, admitting that he should never have done it.