“An attempt to silence me”

AN ANNAN councillor has strongly hit back at his three month suspension and says he ‘won’t be silenced’.

Annandale South member Ian Carruthers, above, has been accused of bullying and harassment against senior officials at Dumfries and Galloway Council, including chief executive Dawn Roberts.

And while a formal investigation is carried out by the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC), he has been suspended until November 10.

But yesterday Cllr Carruthers, who leads the Dumfries and Galloway Independent Group, said he had been shocked at the referral and denied any such behaviour, and vowed the truth will come out “in due course”.

He also pointed out that he has been an elected member for the Lower Annandale area for 18 years without issue, adding: “I was elected in 2007 and it’s never been brought up before. My behaviour has never changed in that time.”

The suspension has been activated by The Standards Commission but the 21 different issues of complaint are being looked into by the ESC, including his “conduct towards council officers, and allegations that he became inappropriately involved in operational matters, sought preferential treatment and attempted to pressure officers in order to circumvent quasi-judicial and regulatory processes.”

A decision will ultimately be taken on whether he failed to comply with the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

As well as the chief executive, three other senior officers have submitted supporting statements to the ESC about “the persistent nature of the respondent’s conduct and the resulting pressures being placed on officers and teams within the council.”

The suspension report on the Standards Commission website notes: “The ESC further advised that the alleged breaches were serious in nature and included allegations of threatening and intimidating behaviour.

“The ESC explained that the impact and potential consequence of the alleged breaches were also serious, with the complainer and the officers who submitted supporting statements having described how their professional and personal lives were being negatively impacted. The ESC noted that these witnesses had also contended that their ability to fulfil their roles effectively was being compromised as a result of the respondent’s persistent conduct.”

However, Cllr Carruthers believes the move has come about after he headed up an internal investigation into council recruitment procedures.

His findings have not yet been allowed to become public, but it led to him asking for Audit Scotland to carry out an independent investigation.

“It makes me feel like there’s an attempt to silence me,” he said this week.

It is expected to take until next February for the investigation to be concluded, with the councillor keen to be able to give his version of events and defend himself fully.

Meanwhile, Cllr Carruthers will not be able to attend any council committees during his suspension period, but can continue to handle case work.

In that respect he says it’s ‘business as usual’ and added: “People in Annandale South can still come to me with anything and I will do everything I can to help them, or if I’m unable to act on their behalf, I will ensure it’s taken on by someone else.”