A special meeting of Stirling Council has been set for this week so councillors can discuss an upcoming watchdog hearing into an allegation that a councillor breached the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
All seven of Stirling’s SNP councillors called for the meeting demanding that Labour councillor Danny Gibson be suspended ahead of June’s Standards Commissioner hearing.
Cllr Gibson is accused of contravening the code on issues of “respect and courtesy” and those relating to taking decisions on “quasi-judicial or regulatory applications”.
In January 2021, an investigation was carried out following complaints about Cllr Gibson’s behaviour towards council officials.
Solicitors were instructed by the council to conduct an inquiry into the conduct of Cllr Gibson. A Freedom of Information request confirmed this was carried out at a cost of £20,100.
At that time, the Stirling Labour group said that, following discussions with senior council officers, the issue had been “resolved”.
However, last month we told how Cllr Gibson now faces the watchdog hearing into the allegation.
Cllr Gibson will appear before a hearing at Stirling Council’s headquarters at Old Viewforth this June.
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However, SNP councillors have this week sealed the special meeting where they will call for Cllr Gibson to be “removed from all internal and external council committees pending the outcome of his scheduled Standards Commission hearing”.
The meeting has been set for tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 5pm at Old Viewforth.
Thursday’s meeting was requisitioned by all of the SNP’s councillors in Stirling – Cllr Scott Farmer, Cllr Susan McGill, Cllr Jim Thomson, Cllr Rosemary Fraser, Cllr Brian Hambly, Cllr Gene Maxwell and Cllr Gerry McLaughlan.
Last month, Cllr Gibson, who represents Stirling North, told the Observer that the complaint from an opposition councillor was “politically motivated”. He added: “The hearing relates to a belated complaint submitted by an opposition councillor concerning historical matters which were successfully resolved within the council many years ago now.
“This individual seems particularly aggrieved that matters were resolved and they have sadly sought to weaponise the standards process for their own ends.
“This is clearly politically motivated and I very much hope the commission will see it for what it is.”
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cllr Farmer called on Labour Council leader Chris Kane to take action. He said: “Having failed to show any leadership during this sorry saga, Council leader Chris Kane has one more opportunity to do the right thing, and take precautionary action in light of his councillor’s referral to a full Standards Commission hearing.
“The SNP are seeking cross-party support on this common sense motion at Thursday’s meeting. Mr Gibson can still do the right thing before then, and resign. Labour leader Chris Kane can live up to the title, and show some gumption. And the Stirling Tories can prove they have the capacity to stand up for the communities they represent, instead of bowing to the grubby deal they’ve struck with Labour.”
Cllr McLaughlan added: “The Commissioner’s report should be treated seriously, and Mr Gibson removed from all internal and external council committees pending a conclusion. We have a duty of care to our staff, fellow councillors and residents to protect the reputation of the council and ensure standards in the workplace are upheld.
“All parties involved have an opportunity to act in the best interests of the council and Stirling. It is down to Mr Gibson, Stirling Labour and the Tories to put aside their own interests.”
In response, a Stirling Council Labour Group spokesperson said: “Given the state of affairs within the SNP you can almost understand why they want to try and divert attention away from themselves. I think the public will see right through that and their latest stunt only serves to confirm their political motivations here.
“The fact is the Standards Commission actually have the power to suspend councillors if they feel that is required and they have opted not to do so in this case.
“It’s notable that when a Stirling SNP councillor was last subject to a hearing that they didn’t take the action they are proposing against their own member at that time.
“Nationalist councillors would be better advised to respect the due process underway.”
Cllr Gibson previously held the position of deputy council leader under the previous SNP/Labour administration. As part of the current Labour administration, Cllr Gibson serves as convener of the children and young people committee and vice convener of the environment, transport and net zero committee.
