A former SNP councillor has slammed the leadership of the Group within South Lanarkshire Council and branded it “dictatorial”.
Party stalwart David Watson – who represents East Kilbride West – dramatically resigned from the SNP Group on South Lanarkshire Council after nearly 40 years as a member of the party.
He also quit as chair of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC).
It followed an internal dispute between Councillor Watson and council officials, as well as SNP Group office bearers, on how an SLLC employee grievance should be dealt with legally.
Cllr Watson insists that SLLC is an ‘arms length’ organisation and as its chair he was duty bound to follow legal advice from its lawyers and that he was unable to go against this without the agreement of the board.
Council leader John Ross says they have acted in a “constructive” manner and rejects claims that Cllr Watson was put under pressure to resign.
Speaking to the East Kilbride News, Cllr Watson said:“Pressure was put on me to resign from the board of SLLC by SNP Group office bearers and, sadly, the pressures of these demands left me with no option but to take the reluctant decision to resign from the board and also resign from the SNP council group due to the threatening and demanding attitude of the office bearers.
“I was happy to take this matter to a specially convened SLLC board meeting. But, for some reason, council SNP office bearers did not want this to happen and decided to take the unprecedented act of raising an emergency 36c motion for an issue like this.
“The SNP council group was elected on a manifesto of openness and transparency.
“The Group leadership have shown that there is no openness and transparency within the SNP group itself.
“My experience with group office bearers was one of a dictatorial nature, with pressure of demands and timescales put on myself.
“The only message that was clear was that they wanted to remove me as chair of SLLC with no explanation other than it was in my best interest.”
He added: “It is clear that office bearers and council officers are taking decisions with no regard for SNP council group members.
“I would not be prepared to be complicit in the actions the council are prepared to take in regards to this.”
In response, council leader Ross said: “David’s decision to resign came after a great deal of discussion between us over a number of weeks about the role that SLLC’s chair should play in ensuring the organisation is properly run.
“Those discussions took place in a measured and appropriate manner at all times.
“In fact, I would go so far as to say that everyone involved from the council not only always acted in a constructive manner, but sought
to be as supportive of David as possible.
“We have followed clear advice throughout and I totally refute any suggestion of undue pressure being applied.”
A council spokesman said: “South Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture work together to provide the best possible sports, leisure and cultural services to local residents.
“The relationship between us is governed by a number of agreements and legal obligations and we always seek to ensure these are followed to protect all parties and ensure effective governance.”
