‘One rule for staff and another for Councillors’
SNP Councillors have expressed their anger and disappointment, after the Stirling Tories voted alongside Stirling Labour to prevent Councillor Danny Gibson’s suspension from internal and external Council committees.
After calling a Special Council Meeting on Thursday 20th April, SNP Councillors moved that Mr Gibson be removed from Council committees pending the outcome of a Standards Commission hearing into his alleged behaviour. Cllr Gibson has been investigated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner, and the case has been referred to a full hearing.
The SNP motion fell, with Tory Councillors voting to protect Cllr Gibson.
Councillor Gerry McLaughlan, Stirling SNP Council Group Business Convener said:
‘Despite insisting they run a minority-administration, Labour were forced to rely on Tory votes to protect their Councillor. We should have high standards in public office, and as a precautionary measure – pending the outcome of the external investigation and hearing into his alleged behaviour – we moved that Councillor Gibson be suspended from internal and external committees..
‘I’m extremely disappointed that the Tories and Labour voted together. In Stirling Council, standard practice would be to suspend an employee in similar circumstances. But as we’ve seen over the past year with this rotten administration, it’s one rule for them and another for everyone else.
‘The SNP group will always stand up for workplace welfare and the rights of staff to work in a safe and secure environment. We again urge Councillor Gibson to do the right thing, and step aside for the time being, until his hearing has concluded.’