Sex offender is victim of ‘witch hunt’, says Aberdeen city chief

THE Depute Provost of Aberdeen has claimed a fellow councillor who is facing calls to resign after a conviction for sexual assault is the victim of a political “witch hunt”.

Jennifer Stewart said the SNP and Liberal Democrats on Aberdeen City Council were ganging up on Alan Donnelly in an attempt to change the balance of power.

Ms Stewart replaced Mr Donnelly as depute provost on the Tory-independent authority after he was found guilty of kissing and touching a man at a civic function last year.

The former Tory councillor was ordered to pay £800 compensation, placed on the sex offenders register, and will now be supervised by the council’s own social work department for eight months.

After signalling he intends to return to work as a councillor, Mr Donnelly is facing growing calls to quit, and multiple complaints to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life.

Ms Stewart, a former Libdem who sits as an independent in the ruling administration at Aberdeen City Council, told BBC Scotland the SNP and Libdems would try to sicken Mr Donnelly out.

She said: “I have suffered at the wrath for three years of the SNP and the Liberal Democrats at

Aberdeen City Council and I know how they will go on their witch hunt as they did with me.

“That’s what I see is going to happen to Alan. Whether he chooses to remain is his decision – but if they make his life intolerable and uncomfortable it might be that he chooses to step aside.”

Alex Feis-bryce, chief executive of Survivorsuk, said Mr Donnelly should step down “out of respect for the victim”, and perhaps seek re-election sometime in the future.

He said: “As far as I can see he has not shown any contrition whatsoever. Councillors need to be beyond reproach, not sexually assaulting people at civic events.”

SNP group head Alex Nicoll called Ms Stewart’s comments “beyond bizarre” and said the people of Aberdeen would want Mr Donnelly to leave office right now.

He said: “This is an attempt by the administration to maintain control of [the] Council using a person who I don’t think the people of Aberdeen think should be in office.”

Stephen Flynn, the SNP MP for Aberdeen South, tweeted: “A convicted sex offender should not hold public office. Genuinely stunned to hear the comments of the current Depute Provost... defending the indefensible.”