The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Councillor suspended after breaching code
Watchdog ruling over ‘offensive’ and ‘abusive’ communications
A Dundee politician has been suspended for two months after a watchdog ruled a string of “offensive” and “abusive” communications were in breach of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
Gregor Murray, who represents the city’s North East ward, was called before the Standards Commission for Scotland yesterday in relation to a series of social media posts and emails sent to, and referencing, members of the public.
The hearing panel frequently baulked at directly repeating the foul language used by the councillor online, which was described in their ruling as “egregious, offensive and particularly gratuitous”.
However, members accepted Gregor Murray, as Scotland’s only openly trans elected representative, had “suffered from unwarranted bullying and abuse, and that they were determined to stand up for the trans community”.
The councillor did not appear in person but the panel heard how Dundee resident Lorraine Nutt had been referred to by the former children and families convener as a “Terf” (the pejorative acronym for‘ trans exclusionary radical feminist ’).
Foul language was also separately used by the councillor on social media
I am also extremely worried by the precedent they have set that Terf is an offensive term. COUNCILLOR GREGOR MURRAY
to describe members of a lesbian group who had allegedly attempted to block a section of the London Pride March.
The panel were of the view Gregor Murray’s comments “amounted to a personal attack” and noted the councillor had “singularly failed to provide an apology to the complainer”.
It said the councillor “failed to demonstrate any insight into the impact their behaviour may have had on the complainer and her ability to raise issues with the council, or on the public’s view of councillors in general”.
Members ruled Gregor Murray’s entitlement to attend all meetings of Dundee City Council, and of any committee or sub-committee, should be suspended for a period of two months.
The councillor, who quit the SNP this week after 18 years, pledged to take legal advice “as to what my next steps are, for when my health permits”.
The councillor said: “I am severely disappointed in the decision made today by the Standards Commission, which I believe to be a miscarriage of justice.
“I entirely accept that it is not appropriate for me to swear – I have apologised for this on numerous occasions, and have already accepted sanctions for doing so.
“I am also extremely worried by the precedent they have set that Terf is an offensive term.”
The statement added: “The situation for trans people in Scotland right now is awful, and for a hearing to conclude that the victims here are the anti-trans campaigners flies in the face of all interpretations of justice and fairness.”