Councillor investigated over Gypsy site comments

The chairwoman of a council committee is being investigated over what has been described as potentially offensive comments about gypsy traveller site plans.

Conservative Wendy Agnew made the comments in question at Aberdeenshire Council's Kincardine and Mearns area committee last month.

The local authority has since removed a short section of webcast video to avoid any "potential offence".

The Ethical Standards Commissioner told BBC Scotland News it had received a complaint about the councillor. The Scottish Tories are also investigating. Cllr Agnew declined to comment.

The committee meeting was on 21 November. The item being discussed involved creating a caravan park site for gypsy travellers at Portlethen.

An Ethical Standards Commissioner statement said on Thursday: "We have received a complaint about Cllr Wendy Agnew.

"We cannot give any further details at this stage."

A motion from SNP councillor Dawn Black calls for her to be removed from the position of chairwoman.

The motion, lodged ahead of a meeting next week, states that the committee "has lost confidence in Cllr Agnew in light of her comments" and has "concerns on her general competency" in continuing in the role of chairwoman.

It says she should be removed from the position and that a motion was being sought to appoint a new chairperson.

Cllr Black said: "It is simply unsustainable and entirely inappropriate for a councillor to remain in a position of responsibility when they have made comments so deeply offensive that council officers do not feel that they can remain on the public record."

Of the webcast, an Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “Following a review of comments made following the conclusion of a planning item at November’s meeting of Kincardine and Mearns area committee, it has been decided not to reinstate the short section of video concerned to avoid potential offence to viewers."

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “The party takes all complaints seriously and is investigating under due processes.”

Cllr Agnew represents Stonehaven and Lower Deeside on Aberdeenshire Council.

She has not been suspended.