SHAMED COUNCILLOR BANNED FROM THE ROADS

John Martin Fulton • Published 15 Jan 2010 15:28

A KILWINNING councillor banned from the roads for two-and-a-half years after refusing to give police a breath sample could be forced to resign.

Ryan Oldfather, 26, was also fined £1100 after admitting careless driving by crashing into a lamppost.

Shamed Oldfather, who sits on the council's licensing committee, was charged after the smash in Central Avenue, Troon, at 3.15am on December 13. He refused to give a breath sample which would have determined if he had been drinking prior to the crash.

Police released him after he agreed to appear at Ayr Sheriff Court.

Oldfather was fined and banned by Sheriff Jack McGowan after also admitting failing to report the accident.

However, he was cleared of failing a roadside breath test, refusing to give details and failing to stop.

His mother, Irene Oldfather, is Labour MSP for Cunninghame South.

The Councillors' Code of Conduct says members have a duty to "uphold the law and act in accordance with the law and the public trust placed in you".

But a council spokesperson confirmed that there would be no action taken in regard to the incident as being a breach of the code.

However, a council source admitted that he could be forced out of the door by the party.

The source told the Times: "He is a relatively ineffective councillor. He could either try and brush it off and attempt to stay in the post or he could resign.

"His party could even decide to push him out. It is a very serious matter. However, if there is a by-election there are always political concerns."

Oldfather, of Willow Gardens, Irvine, was elected as a Kilwinning councillor for North Ayrshire Council in 2007 following changes to the voting system.

Shortly after being elected the young councillor was embroiled in controversy after his account on internet social networking site had him claiming to be an "alcoholic".

He told his colleagues that he would "grow up" following that incident however, the latest incident would seem to have put pay to that.

Neither Ryan Oldfather nor Irene Oldfather were available for comment.

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This article appeared in Irvine Times 13 Jan 10

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