Aberdeen councillor suspended for breaching code of conduct

An independent Aberdeen councillor has been suspended for four months for breaching the code of code.

Jennifer Stewart, who represents the city’s Hazlehead, Queen's Cross and Countesswells ward, was found to made personal remarks about the Lord Provost in conduct that “amounted to harassment”.

She had accused the Lord Provost, SNP councillor David Cameron, of being sexist, misogynist, displaying religious intolerance, and engaging in intimidatory behaviour.

The hearing panel for the Standards Commission for Scotland concluded these accusations were “of a particularly serious nature” and “had the potential to cause irrevocable harm” to Cameron’s reputation and the wider council.

It also found that Stewart “had not provided any evidence whatsoever, either at the time or subsequently” which supported her accusation of sexual harassment by Cameron towards her.

The panel concluded that Stewart has breached the sections of the councillors’ code of conduct relating to treating colleagues with courtesy and respect; fostering good relations between difference people; and harassment.

It said that a restriction on Stewart’s right to freedom of expression were “justified”.

Malcolm Bell, Standards Commission member and chair of the panel, said: “The panel found that, at various council meetings between 14 December 2022 and 11 October 2023, Cllr Mrs Stewart was disrespectful towards the Lord Provost of the council.

“The panel further found that Cllr Mrs Stewart’s conduct amounted to harassment and, in respect of one comment, to a personal attack on the Lord Provost based on his age.”

He continued: “The requirements for elected members to treat others with respect and to refrain from any conduct that could amount to bullying or harassment are key requirements of the councillors’ code. The panel noted that a failure to comply with the code’s provisions in these regards can adversely affect the rights and reputations of others. It also has a detrimental effect on the standards of public debate, which in turn erodes public confidence in politicians and the democratic institutions they represent.”

In 2023, Stewart had lodged a complaint against Cameron with the Ethical Standards Commissioner. However, it found no breach of the code by Cameron.

Stewart has been a councillor for 19 years. She was originally elected as a Lib Dem but resigned from the group shortly after the local government election in 2017.

She was depute provost from 2019 to 2022.