Disgraced councillor pledges to defend seat at the next election

Shamed councillor Alan Donnelly has revealed he intends to defend his seat at the next election.

The Torry and Ferryhill member’s year-long ban for his sexual assault conviction will come to an end next week.

In an interview with BBC Scotland, the convicted sex offender has defended his decision not to resign – and vowed to stand again.

Last night he refused to speak to The P&J, citing the newspaper’s accurate and robust coverage of the outrage at his actions, his trial and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.

In December 2019, Sheriff Ian Wallace convicted Donnelly of sexual assault at a civic function in the city the previous year.

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register and ordered to pay compensation for touching his victim’s face, hair and body and kissing him on the face.

Former depute provost Donnelly told the BBC: “I have been convicted, I honestly believe I have been the subject of a miscarriage of justice.

“It has been a very challenging time.”

He continued: “I do not pose a risk to my constituents, I have 41 years in public life.

“I have no intentions of resigning.

“I intend to stand again.”

Last November, the Standards Commission slapped Donnelly with a year-long ban on full pay, which was backdated to when he was first suspended last March.

Last night, the party Donnelly quit when convicted, the Conservatives, confirmed he would not be standing for them.

Alan Donnelly has no intention of standing down.