A Paisley councillor who allegedly subjected fellow members to a campaign of abuse has had his 17-month ban quashed in court.
Controversial politician Paul Mack was found to have repeatedly breached the Councillors’ Code of Conduct at a Standards Commission for Scotland hearing last year.
He had been hauled before the watchdog over a series of emails sent to councillors Eddie Devine and Alistair Mackay.
However, the lengthy ban originally imposed has now been overturned and a fresh hearing ordered after Mr Mack successfully appealed the decision at Paisley Sheriff Court.
In a letter explaining the move, The Standards Commission for Scotland said the court found that the hearing should not have proceeded without Mr Mack being present, who was
self-isolating at the time.
Councillor Eddie Devine, who told the original hearing that he and his daughter, fellow councillor Karen Kennedy, had been offered panic alarms as a result of Mr Mack’s alleged behaviour yesterday said he was disappointed at the decision but was prepared to restate his case at a new hearing.
He told the Express: “Clearly, it is a disappointing outcome.
“We hoped that this would draw a line under what has been a very stressful period for us all.
“However, I now look forward to being given the opportunity to restate my evidence.”
The original hearing held at Renfrewshire House last summer heard how Mr Mack, who has served previous bans in 2016 and 2017, dubbed councillor Devine a “white supremacist”.
The hearing also heard Councillor Mackay contacted cops over an email from Mr Mack which he believed incited violence against him.
Chair of the hearing, Professor Kevin Dunion, stated in a written judgement that Mr Mack, who represents the Paisley Southeast ward, had been guilty of a number of breaches.
He stated: “The panel determined that the respondent’s behaviour was persistent, deliberate and serious in nature.
“The panel considered that the manner in which the respondent had raised his concerns was completely unacceptable and that amounted to personal attacks on officers and fellow councillors.
“The panel considered that, as such, it was likely that the respondent’s behaviour could seriously undermine public confidence in local government and the role of a councillor and could also have a significantly detrimental impact on working relationships within the council.”
A date for a new hearing has not yet been set.
