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SNP Highland councillor suspended from the party, while one other seeks legal advice


By Louise Glen

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Councillor Kirsteen Currie.
Councillor Kirsteen Currie.

An SNP councillor has been suspended from the Highland Council group, over allegations of rule-breaking.

Councillor Kirsteen Currie (North, West and Central Sutherland) has been informed by party leaders in the Highlands that she has been suspended, but has not been told why.

It follows the suspension of Inverness Ness-side councillor Ron MacWilliam who was suspended last month for criticising the Scottish Government’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

A third SNP councillor, Cllr McLean (Fort William and Ardnamurchan) is seeking legal advice on his position in the SNP group.

Cllr McLean is seeking legal advice on the matter.

“It is obvious to anyone who follows the business of Highland Council that my colleagues Councillors Currie and MacWilliam are among the most effective and hardest working in the chamber," he said.

"I have been advised by my solicitor to make no comment on my own status at present but will do so as soon as that advice changes.”

Cllr Currie said: "It is disappointing, especially at such a time of crisis, that the leadership of the Highland SNP group have focused so much energy in to attempting to harm the good reputation of their own colleagues.

"There is no doubt that the party’s rules have not been followed by group leaders but once due process kicks in I am confident this mess will be cleared up and those responsible held to account.”

Cllr MacWilliam said: “It seems the people behind these attacks have little better to do and when business returns to normal there will be a lot of questions for them to answer.

"In the meantime I know Kirsteen will continue her excellent work undaunted and with the overwhelming support of her constituents and local party members.”

Councillor Ian Cockburn, joint SNP group leader for Highland Council, said he had "no comment" adding: "This is an internal party matter."

A councillor, who did not want to be named, from another group in the chamber said: "This seems like bullying of the highest order towards three highly effective, hard-working councillors. It probably has more to do with the three members speaking out against the policy of the SNP, and Highland Council, and a step against Kirsteen being nominated to stand for the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections than anything else.

"It seems like the SNP leadership would do anything to keep a good woman, and men, down.

"These councillors are saying the things others are only daring to think."

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