Chapman won selection fairly, say Scottish Greens

Scottish Green Party members have come out in support of an under-fire northeastHolyrood election candidate who is facing calls to stand down.

Morag Hannah and AnnaMcFarlane saidMaggie Chapman was democratically chosen to top the regional list and had a proven track record as a strong community campaigner.

They spoke out after the P&J revealed that 20members of the party’s branches in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Angus have signed a petition calling for theUniversity ofAberdeen rector to be deselected.

A source claimed Ms Chapman, a City of Edinburgh councillor and coconvener of the Scottish Greens, should vacate the top spot to allow the selection of amore credible local candidate.

They described her as a “carpetbagger” with little local knowledge or understanding of the challenges people face in the northeast region. Ms Hannah, a web designer at Dundee University, said she believed some locally based candidates were “acting out of personal grievance”.

“Whatever Maggie’s credentials in terms of local knowledge, there’s no questioning her commitment and honestly,” she added.

“‘Credibility’ is a balancing act as what she lacks in that area she brings other skills to the table.

“Maggie already has a profile, shehasconnections with community campaign groups all over the country including in the northeast.”

Ms McFarlane, a member of the Green Party’s Dundee branch, added: “While I understand that some local members may be hurt by Maggie’s selection, she was selected democratically and done everything by the book.

“This petition will serve no purpose other than to represent the north-east Greens in a bad light.”

“There’s no questioning her commitment and honestly”