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

Head of Operations & Business Development - Amphora Colchester

Essex County Council
Up to £60000.0000 per annum
Head of Operations & Business Development - Amphora Colchester Colchester AmphoraSalary
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Technical Assistant

Essex County Council
Up to £25959.0000 per annum
Technical AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,959 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Director of Culture, Growth and Infrastructure

City of York Council
£86,537 – £95,898 plus benefits and relocation support
This is a new, pivotal and exciting opportunity for an inspiring leader to help shape York's future prosperity... West Offices York (minimum 3 days per week) / Hybrid working
Recuriter: City of York Council

Adults Social Worker - Early Help & Wellbeing (South Essex)

Essex County Council
£36124 - £51834 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
This advert is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Worker's (NQSW) with relevant experience in Mental Health. The starting salary for a NQ England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Part-Time Business Support Administrator

Essex County Council
£25959.00 - £28786.00 per annum + Full Time Equivalent
Part-Time Business Support AdministratorFixed Term, Part Time£25,959 - £28,786 Per Annum (Full Time Equivalent) Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner