The Green Party has expressed concern about the decision to remove Aberdeenshire councillor Martin Ford from the infrastructure services committee.
Liberal Democrat Ford was the committee convener who voted against the Trump development, but at a recent special meeting fellow councillors voted to remove him from his post.
Patrick Harvie MSP said: "The bullying attitude of the Trump organisation and the Scottish Government now seems to have cost Councillor Martin Ford his job. We Greens wholeheartedly support the original decision of his committee to block this grossly unsustainable development, and his removal is a craven response by Aberdeenshire councillors.
Harvie said that Ford's Liberal Democrat colleagues had failed to support him and failed to support local democracy, and said he had invited him to Holyrood to meet the Greens to discuss both the case and his future.
"Local councillors who exercise a role in the planning system must be free to vote as they see fit in the circumstances.
"Rather than seeking to sidestep local democracy, Ministers should be considering what steps can be taken to ensure that local councillors are able in future to exercise their planning functions with independence and without fear of reprisals," Harvie added.
The Green Party also claimed that Ministers' decision to call in the planning application could be invalid, on the basis that application can only be called in while they are still "live", not once a decision to reject has been made.
Readers have left 6 comments. 1. Greens give backing to Trump planning convener
Anonymous, Unregistered GREEN PARTY SUPPORTS TREE HUGGER WHO UNDERMINED LOCAL OPINION AND ABUSED HIS POSITION AS PLANNING CONVENER IN ORDER TO FUEL HIS EGO....quelle surprise... 2. Greens give backing to Trump planning convener
Anonymous, Unregistered How can a person be removed from their post for standing up for what is right. This stinks to high heaven and will be investigated if not through the usual channels. it will be investigated believe me. 3. Greens give backing to Trump planning convener
Anonymous, Unregistered This is a typical example of how Salmond is in Trump's pocket - and if anyone stands in their way they are 'removed'. National conversation? Hah! National dictation morelike. We're seeing your true colours now, eh Alex? 4. Greens give backing to Trump planning convener
Anonymous, Unregistered I don't agree with the decision that Martin Ford made but its clear he did what was required of him in terms of the law and making his decision "without fear or favour". Aberdeenshire Council's decision to remove him just for doing what he was appointed to do is a disgrace. 5. Greens give backing to Trump planning convener
James, Unregistered Anyone who thinks Ford was in this for egotistical reasons clearly hasn't heard him speak. We've backed him because a) he's right and b) local processes should be honoured. 6. Greens give backing to Trump planning convener
Anonymous, Unregistered I'm joining the Greens. They along with Martin Ford are the only folk who can claim to have any integrity in this sleazy saga of bullying and venal short-sighted cave in.
The Cooncil's treatment of Ford, who clearly did his job properly, and it has to be said, left the way open for Trump to appeal the decision in the normal way, is an absolute disgrace. It makes me ashamed to have any association with the North East and the doric speakers i used to hold in high regard.
If the SNP cave in to Trump's arrogant bullying it will be a sorry day for Scotland (and them). As for the Lib Dems - they become ever more pathetic by the day
So let us please have a full public enquiry, which is what we would have had if Trump had appealed instead of running off to Big Ian in Co Antrim in a huff.
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