Councillors leap to defence of censured deputy
Argyll and Bute Council’s deputy leader will face no further action – and has survived calls to consider his post – after being censured for breaking the code of conduct for Scotland’s councillors.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney was reprimanded by the Standards Commission for Scotland last month after failing to declare a non-financial interest in plans to introduce parking limits near a housing development in Cardross.
The breach arose after the authority’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, including Councillor Mulvaney, discussed parking restrictions at the Scott Gardens sheltered housing unit – run by Dunbritton Housing Association, of which Councillor Mulvaney is a board member – in December 2017.
The censure was discussed at the council’s meeting on Thursday February 21 – Councillor Mulvaney left the chamber for the discussion.
Members agreed to take no further action in respect of the commission’s findings beyond noting its report.
Councillors George Freeman and Donald Kelly suggested Councillor Mulvaney, a Conservative, should apologise or consider his position – but other members leapt to his defence.
Councillor Freeman said: ‘Looking at the statements...I don’t see how he can believe he acted in a proper manner.
‘Going back to a previous council leader who had a similar incident about 18 years ago, I believe he apologised to the council that time.’
Councillor Kelly added: ‘I feel it does bring the council into disrepute. I think Councillor Mulvaney should consider his position.’
But Councillor Ellen
Morton (Liberal Democrat), who is chairwoman of the area committee, responded: ‘I am astonished at these remarks. They [the Standards Commission] have imposed the minimum sanction that they could under legislation. They have made it clear it was a finely balanced judgement.
‘This particular item did not come from Dunbritton; it came from council officers on road safety grounds arising from complaints.
‘It never crossed my mind at that meeting that Councillor Mulvaney had any interest to declare. It was entirely a road safety matter on the A814.
‘He has nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to apologise for, and I am bitterly disappointed in the remarks made.’
SNP councillor Richard Trail added: ‘The Standards Commission, in censuring, have gone over the top. I believe this was a trivial issue and I was sorry to see Councillor Mulvaney censured.’
Other members also spoke warmly in Councillor Mulvaney’s favour, with leader Councillor Aileen Morton saying: ‘I have been aware for six and a half years that he was a Dunbritton board member and I didn’t think he had to declare an interest. I think calls for him to apologise are ridiculous.’