Irvine Times | News | Shock claim at council HQ

Monday, 12th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 7th May, 2008 11:30

Shock claim at council HQ

By John-Martin Fulton

Comments (0)

Print Article

THE LEADER of the council shocked the room when he openly claimed the man who chairs council meetings is “not impartial.”

Labour’s David O’Niell made the slur in the middle of a heated row that erupted when a member of his party tried to buck accepted conventions of democracy by questioning the opposition.

But the leader refused to withdraw his statement and claimed that Cllr Billy Rae was not making fair rulings because of his allegiance to the SNP.

He said: “I’m happy to repeat the comment. It’s my opinion that the Provost would not act in an impartial manner.”

Cllr O’Niel was reeling against the Provost’s decision to disallow a question that Cllr Alex Gallagher wanted to ask the leader of the nationalists.

The Provost said there was no precedent for allowing the question, claiming: “You’ve not got the right. He doesn’t have to answer you.”

However, following a barrage of comments and criticism that included Cllr Gallagher challenging the ruling but refusing to make an official motion against it, the meeting was adjourned while Cllr Rae took advice.

He returned after five minutes and allowed the question.

Meanwhile, SNP Cllr Matthew Brown claimed that the council leader’s claims of corruption meant he was violating rules of conduct for councillors.

He read out the rules; “Respect will at all times be paid to the authority of the Provost or the Deputy Provost when chairing any meeting of the council.

“It shall be the duty of the Provost to determine any questions of procedure for which no express provision has been made.”

It was then that the Labour leader repeated his claim.

Comments