Ross Thomson
The leadership of North Lanarkshire Council are bracing themselves for a dreaded vote of no confidence.
The motion, due to be sent to Provost Jim Robertson as a matter of urgency, is calling for the resignation of council leader Jim Logue and his deputy Paul Kelly.
The motion alleges the council leadership deliberately withheld information relating to a top Labour councillor accused of allegedly possessing indecent images of children.
Airdrie councillor David Fagan was arrested and charged with the offence at his Airdrie home last month and has since been suspended by the party.
The Wishaw Press understands that as many 15 councillors are set to support the motion including Labour’s former council leader Jim McCabe and his then deputy Jim Smith.
The motion states: “We seek the immediate resignation from each of the above-named individuals for a wilful breach of trust and for failing to act in the best interests of North Lanarkshire Council and the people they were elected to represent.
“Namely, that they withheld information given to them by the Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire regarding charges brought against a North Lanarkshire councillor on September 8.
“These charges were brought for an offence involving child pornography. As speculated in the press this week, the natural suspicion arises that this information was deliberately withheld until the completion of a by-election in the authority on September 22.
“It is entirely wrong that a serious disciplinary decision appears to have been delayed in an attempt to gain political advantage.
“The above-named were made aware that this councillor had been arrested and that the charges related to sexual offences involving children on September 9.
“No action was taken against this councillor at this point and he was not suspended from the council until September 29.
“No elected member from North Lanarkshire Council was made aware of this situation until at least October 4.
“This is an unacceptable situation, as elected representatives we have a duty to be open and transparent.
“We also have a duty of care to protect the children of North Lanarkshire and must act to prevent our children and young people being exposed to potentially harmful situations.
“We, therefore, request that an emergency council meeting is called immediately and the above-named persons should resign from their council positions forthwith.”
SNP Group Leader David Stocks said that a meeting of his party will take place next week following the October week holiday.
Councillor Stocks added: “We have to decide
Natural suspicion arises that this information was deliberately withheld until the completion of a by-election on Sept. 22