Thomas Bridge 04 December 2014

Councillors suspended for burning devolution plan

Four councillors involved in a filmed burning of a copy of the Smith Commission report have been suspended from the Scottish National Party (SNP).

The Renfrewshire councillors came under fire after uploading a video of themselves torching the plans, which detail potential powers to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament following this year’s referendum.

Former council leader Cllr Brian Lawson, Cllr Will Mylet and Cllr Mags Maclaren ignited the documents outside of Renfrewshire’s headquarters. Kenny Maclaren is thought to have filmed the burning.

Cllr Mylet turns to camera in the video, saying: ‘This is exactly what we think about it. No real powers for Scotland yet again from Westminster. We’ve been lied to again.’

‘There you go, Gordon Brown. Cheers,’ he adds, before dropping the report into a bin.

All four councillors have now been suspended from the SNP pending investigation.

After the video was uploaded on YouTube, Margaret Curran, Labour’s shadow secretary of state for Scotland on Tuesday tweeted: ‘SNP can't accept devolution. 3 SNP councillors burned Smith Commission. Will @Nicola Sturgeon condemn their behaviour?’

However Scottish health minister Alex Neil told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme that he saw the footage a ‘silly prank’.

While Sturgeon admitted that ‘many people are disappointed with the result of the referendum and the level of devolution recommended by the Smith Comission’, she added that her ‘clear view is that setting fire to something because you don’t agree with it is not acceptable behaviour’.

The party’s national secretary, Patrick Grady, later confirmed: ‘I have written to the convener of the party’s disciplinary committee, making a complaint against the four individuals concerned, and the four will be suspended from the party until that complaint is heard’.

Cllr Lawson declined to comment when approached by LocalGov.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

HR Support Officer - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
£31284.00 - £35721.00 per annum
HR Support Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilFixed Term, Full Time£31,284 to £35,721 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Estates Administrator

City Of Doncaster Council
£26,644 per annum
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Estates Administrator. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Corporate Landlord Fire Safety Officer (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
£40,778 - £45,092 plus £3,200
We are seeking an experienced fire safety advisor/risk assessor to join our Facilities Team. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Street Scene Operations Manager (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 10, £48,227 - £52,414
Do you want to work in a job which makes a difference to the local community and the people who live there? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Day Centre Support Navigator (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
£28,598 - £31,537
The Central Day Space is designed to provide a safe, welcoming environment for individuals experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner