Councillor resigns over ‘toxic abuse’
A Stirling councillor has dramatically resigned from the SNP amid claims of bullying, sexism and party in-fighting.
Bannockburn ward councillor Maureen Bennison - the partner of former Stirling MP Steven Paterson - resigned from the party on Monday night “with immediate effect”.
While she intends to continue to represent the ward, her former SNP colleagues have called for her to stand down.
In an official statement she said she had resigned “with regret”, adding she had “no further comment at the present time.”
However, her letter to Councillor Farmer was far more explosive.
In it she wrote: “This has been an extremely difficult decision, but it is the only principled course of action left to me in regrettable circumstances.
“Since being elected in May 2017, I have championed women’s rights and, through the public safety committee I chair, a huge amount of work has been done to advance better outcomes for women facing a range of difficult issues, from poverty to domestic abuse.
“However, during this same period, women have been attacked by elements within my own party due to concerns made over the Scottish Government’s proposed changes to gender recognition and the danger these may erode hard-won women’s rights. Reasonable debate has proved impossible, and instead, toxic abuse and threats have been heaped out on any woman prepared to speak out on the issue.”
Councillor Bennison goes on to allege that the situation has “come to the fore” since the installation of current Stirling MP Alyn Smith as the party’s Westminster candidate and that her partner, Mr Paterson, was blocked from being chosen democratically - something Stirling SNP strongly refutes.
She further alleged Mr Smith had “consistently refused to condemn frequent vile abuse spouted on social media”.
Councillor Bennison said she also believed some of the same people were looking to deselect her at the council elections in 2022 because she refused to campaign for Mr Smith.
In the letter to Councillor Farmer she added: “I have made repeated complaints to our council group regarding this matter, and sought their assistance against this abuse, but although several colleagues have been extremely supportive, others have certainly not been. Indeed, I have felt bullied to sit down and shut up by one particular colleague. I will not sit down and shut up for anyone.
“It is depressing that toxic gender politics seems to be the prime issue vexing some in prominent positions in our local party.
“I will continue to vote and work in the best interests of my constituents. I sincerely hope that certain people in the party reflect on their behaviour, the damage it is doing to the SNP, and to the cause of Scottish independence – a cause to which I remain absolutely and totally committed.”
A Stirling SNP spokesperson said, however: “Maureen Bennison has sadly not conducted herself as an SNP representative for some time now, and her behaviour in recent months has been bitter to say the least. This is a sad end to her time as an SNP member, casting untrue assertions about Stirling SNP members and the party generally.
“In 2017, Bannockburn and the Eastern Villages elected two
SNP councillors. With Maureen Bennison today resigning from the SNP, she should now also step down from Stirling Council and trigger a by-election in the ward, so that the good people of the area can elect an SNP councillor who will play a full and constructive part in the council administration delivering for local people.”
Council leader Scott Farmer said yesterday: “Late last night I was saddened to receive a letter from Councillor Bennison resigning from the SNP with immediate effect.
“I do not comment on internal matters relating to the SNP and will be consulting with colleagues on this matter in due course.”
Councillor Bennison, from Fallin, was elected to the Bannockburn ward in one of the tightest races of the 2017 council elections.
She was elected at round seven, just pipping Paul Henke of the Conservatives.
At the time her election prompted a large cheer from supporters in the Albert Halls.