A NORTH Ayrshire Labour councillor has been suspended for two months after he was found to have "bullied" a member of the public during a meeting.
A Standards Commission for Scotland hearing investigated Donald Reid's behaviour during an online meeting of the Kilwinning Locality Partnership in February 2024.
The panel found that the Kilwinning councillor, who was first elected more than 20 years ago, was "disrespectful towards a member of the public" and that his conduct "amounted to bullying, even if that had not been his intent".
A report published following today's hearing at the local authority's Cunninghame House headquarters in Irvine stated that Reid had breached two parts of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
The watchdog panel heard that a member of the public was representing local history society [[Kilwinning]] Heritage at last year's meeting.
They were seeking funding from the council by way of presenting an "expression of interest" at the meeting.
It was also found that he "unnecessarily interrupted and spoke over her on various occasions" and he had "given the appearance of belittling her, Kilwinning Heritage and the expression of interest".
The panel acknowledged that Reid had an important role in scrutinising potential applications to ensure council funds were distributed fairly and in the public interest.
They also noted that he may not have intended to cause any upset.
However, the panel found that his approach was "disproportionate" and that his questioning was "wholly inappropriate".
They were also of the opinion that his conduct may have been viewed as "an attack on both Kilwinning Heritage and on the member of the public".
The panel accepted similar conduct might be characterised as being "robust" and, in certain circumstances, acceptable had it been directed towards other elected members during a political debate.
The panel noted, however, that Reid, as an elected politician, was in a position of relative power in respect of the member of the public, who was an unpaid volunteer giving up her time for a local heritage society, and it therefore constituted a breach of the code.
They also considered that, as she had been subjected to what the panel considered was effectively an "unwarranted and unexpected public attack", it would be reasonable for the member of the public to have felt "upset, bullied and humiliated" as a result.
It was agreed that the manner in which Reid conducted himself towards her was both "intimidating and disparaging".
Dr Lezley Stewart, Standards Commission member and chair of the hearing panel, said: “The requirements for elected members to treat members of the public with respect and to refrain from any conduct that could amount to bullying, are key requirements of the Councillors’ Code.
"The panel noted that a failure to comply with the code’s provisions in these regards can have a detrimental impact on public confidence in both elected members and local authorities and, in particular, in respect of their expectation that members of the public will be treated appropriately when engaging with them.”
Reid, who was first elected in 2002 following the Irvine West by-election before being elected a year later for Kilwinning West, said he intends to query the sanction further.
He said: "Given the position I now find myself in, and as the penalty has gone some way beyond the commissioner's recommendation, I will be looking at lodging an appeal.
"I never at any point set out to upset anyone, only to ensure the use of council funds is spent wisely."
He added: "As a councillor, constituent work is not affected by this decision and I will continue to answer my phone and answer emails for those in need."
