South Ayrshire Council slammed for day of shame as MSP says residents 'deserve better'
South Ayrshire Council has humiliated itself on the public stage and left residents "dismayed and disillusioned," according to one MSP.
Siobhian Brown, herself a former councillor with the local authority, slammed this morning's antics at County Buildings which led to Provost Iain Campbell quitting during remarkable exchanges.
A day of high drama also saw the council's depute leader, Bob Pollock, demoted during a vote by members - and leader Martin Dowey was forced to fall on his own sword just hours later.
It leaves the council rudderless with three of its main positions now unfilled.
Members of the public witnessed today's key meeting descend into chaos when one councillor, taking part in the session remotely, was heard over a microphone referring to someone as a "wee c**t".
That sparked a furious reaction from the Provost who then walked off the job, slamming the behaviour of "despicable people whose egos are better than their ability."
And Ms Brown says the people of South Ayrshire deserve better.
She hit out: "At a time when leadership should be grounded in honesty and accountability, what we witnessed was anything but. Integrity in public office matters.
"Even more disturbing was the internal chaos on display: the Conservative group turning on their own Depute Leader, rather than upholding public confidence or serving the people who elected them. What's clear from today's events is the sheer desperation of the Tory leadership to hold onto power at all costs, no matter the damage to public trust, staff morale, or the reputation of the council itself.
"The chaos reached a boiling point when Provost Iain Campbell resigned at the end of the meeting, stating he'd had enough of the backstabbing and infighting. This only highlights the utter dysfunction within the Conservative group, whose internal conflicts seem to take precedence over the needs of the public.
"This meeting, broadcast live for the public to witness, was a spectacle and a shameful misuse of council time and taxpayer money. Residents tuned in expecting clarity. What they got was self-interest, infighting, and a complete lack of leadership.
"The people of South Ayrshire deserve better than this, they deserve representatives who put public service before personal survival."
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Scottish Sun
28 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Labour's migrant hotels policy dealt major blow after council WINS battle to stop asylum seekers being housed there
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In 2023, Great Yarmouth Borough Council won an injunction preventing hotels along its seafront from being used to house asylum seekers.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
High court asylum hotels ruling leaves Cooper scrambling for alternatives
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South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Ministers braced for further legal challenges after High Court Epping decision
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