Councillor cleared in court case

An SNP councillor from Monklands has been cleared of trying to stop a teacher from voting.

Greg Lennon was said to have confronted Annette Stewart at the Brunswick Centre in Glasgow’s Barmulloch on General Election day on December 12, 2019.

Prosecutors stated he acted in a threatening and abusive manner.

It was claimed the 43-year-old used his mobile phone to record her without permission, shouted at Ms Stewart, tried to stop her getting into the hall and that she was not allowed to enter and vote.

The court papers stated this was to the upset and alarm of the 56-year-old teacher and people with her.

A second charge under the Representation of the People Act claimed the councillor tried to prevent a person from voting.

Lennon, of Gartcosh, denied the allegations while on trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

He was working as a manager of the centre at the time, as well as in a health and safety role on the day of the election.

Footage shown to the court revealed Lennon repeatedly saying to Ms Stewart that she was “barred” from the centre.

He claimed he was told this by the police due to an earlier unrelated incident with Ms Stewart

The gran stated she was not barred and felt “intimidated” by Lennon, leaving her in tears.

A police officer told the court that Ms Stewart was advised not to attend the centre after the earlier incident.

Sheriff Sean Murphy QC acquitted Lennon, telling him: “You failed to react in a calm or appropriate manner.

“I am not convinced it meets the high tests required of the act.

“Your behaviour was impulsive and inappropriate, but it does not meet the tests.

“What was observed was you followed her raising your voice and she came back to the polling station door.

“That was a matter of great concern as it could have impacted on someone voting.

“You acted impulsively and inappropriately, following her down the corridor. You should have let her pass and out the building.

“I regard this as inappropriate behaviour, but I am not satisfied it displayed the intention of attempting to intimidate her from voting.

“You are a responsible manager and she is a primary school teacher.

“I hope not to see you in court for this type of offence ever again.”

Accusation Lennon was said to have tried to stop a teacher from voting