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

Operations Support Manager - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £23.6000 per hour
Operations Support Manager- Braintree District Council £23.60 PAYE / £30.22 Umbrella Full-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 6 Months Contract Closing England, Essex
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Highways Inspection Officer

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£32,962 - £36,791pa
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Driver

North Yorkshire Council
£12.85 - £13.47 per hour
The team comprises approximately 350 drivers and passenger assistants that operate at locations throughout North Yorkshire. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Passenger Assistant Medical

North Yorkshire Council
£27,254- £29,064 pro rata per annum
We are looking for caring, flexible, and committed people to help us provide this transport. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker - Children's Assessment and Safeguarding

North East Lincolnshire Council
Salary from ASYE level £36,363 up to £46,142
We’re looking for inspirational social workers North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council
Linkedin Banner