Tory leader in racism row
North Lanarkshire Conservative group leader Meghan Gallacher is facing calls to resign after her defence of a nowexpelled member of her group in a racism row.
A formal complaint was made against Stepps, Chryston & Muirhead representative Stephen Goldsack, who is accused of making islamophobic remarks during a planning meeting. He has since had his Conservative membership withdrawn after previous British National Party links were revealed.
Councillors from North Lanarkshire’s SNP group allege that, while discussing an application to use a residential property in Stepps for Muslim worship, Councillor Goldsack said: “We can’t give more access to these people,” and “If it was Church of Scotland it would be OK”.
Councillor Goldsack denies the allegation. He told The National newspaper: “There’s no way I’m a racist. It’s complete nonsense.”
He was expelled from the Conservatives last week after it came to light that he had previously been involved with the BNP. He is now listed as an independent member on the council’s website.
David Stocks, the council’s SNP group leader, had called on his Conservative counterpart to suspend Councillor G oldsack pending an investigation, but Councillor Gallacher rejected that request and called for written apologies.
She replied: “I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with Councillor Goldsack and members of other political groups and I totally reject the above in a discriminatory context.
“I have full confidence in Councillor Goldsack and I believe that he did not discriminate against any of his constituents or any of the wider community.”
Councillor Stocks said this week: “It goes without saying that Councillor Goldsack should be expelled from the Conservative party but for Councillor Gallacher to call on me to apologise for raising this serious issue is absurd and calls into question her ability and competence to lead.
“Her continued noquestions-asked defence of Councillor Goldsack shows that she clearly doesn’t take allegations of racism and bigotry seriously and she now must resign as leader of the Conservative group in North Lanarkshire.”
His party colleague Danish Ashraf, who led a motion on equality and condemning discrimination at the last full council assembly, also called for Councillor Goldsack to resign, saying: “Anything less would be inconceivable and unacceptable given his remarks.”
North Lanarkshire’s Conservative group said: “Councillor Goldsack has been expelled from the party.
“The SNP need to put their own house in order.”
A Scottish Conservatives spokesman said: “Councillor Goldsack had his membership rescinded as soon as those links came to light. Perhaps the SNP in North Lanarkshire should learn it’s not a good look to repeatedly try to bully a young woman out of a job.”