Councillor handed suspension after losing temper

A COUNCILLOR has been suspended for three months after an investigation found he behaved in an “aggressive and intimidating manner” towards the former leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Dee and Glenkens elected member John Denerley, above, who is profoundly deaf, lost his temper during a private Conservatives group meeting on December 14 2023.

He stood in the physical space of the then council leader, Gail Macgregor, and then physically pushed past her which “resulted in her losing her balance and falling against the table”, according to the findings of an investigation by council watchdog the Standards Commission.

Mr Denerley was also accused of throwing his papers and possessions on a table upon entering the council chamber before pointing and shaking his fist at the council monitoring officer in an angry and aggressive way, according to the report.

Following a hearing at the Municipal Chambers in Dumfries, on February 3 this year, three Standards Commission panel members concluded that, “on the balance of probabilities”, Councillor Denerley breached the councillors’ code of conduct on three counts.

Councillor Gail Macgregor, who represents Annandale North, was left in tears and was escorted out of the room by her colleague, Cllr Graham Bell.

The findings from the Standards Commission comprise a 19-page document, produced by panel members Malcolm Bell, Morag Ferguson, and Lezley Stewart.

They explain how the incidents unfolded within the council headquarters in Dumfries.

The report states: “The incident arose following a misunderstanding about whether interpreters were required and available for a meeting of the respondent’s then party group, which was being held immediately before the full council meeting on December 14, 2023.”

The hearing heard how Councillor Macgregor said Mr Denerley was upset that no interpreters were present.

She suggested he use a translation app, but he refused.

As Councillor Macgregor attempted to begin, Mr Denerley followed her, threw down his papers, and insisted it could not start without an interpreter.

The Standards Commission report detailed that Councillor Denerley stood very close behind Councillor Macgregor, leaning over her shoulder and obstructing her.

The report documented her evidence, stating: “Councillor Macgregor advised that she was ‘gobsmacked’ by the respondent’s behaviour and it had left her stunned, shaken and in tears.

“Councillor Macgregor explained that, by then, she had been a councillor for some 19 years but had never previously been in a situation that had left her feeling as vulnerable.

“Councillor Macgregor advised that she remained shaken and in tears and could not take part in the (full) council meeting later that morning.”

Police Scotland were contacted and Councillor Denerley was given a formal warning.

In his defence, Mr Denerley argued that his relationship with the council’s monitoring officer was already strained before these events.

The Standards Commission report states: “The respondent advised, by way of context and background, that he considered there had been systemic difficulties in the way the council engaged with him as a deaf person.

“The respondent indicated this contributed to any frustration he had experienced on the day.

“The respondent stated that, having been the victim of such behaviour in the past, he recognised that any harassment and bullying was unacceptable and a serious matter.

“The respondent described the conduct attributed to him as uncharacteristic and advised that he looked forward to continuing to serve his constituents with respect and integrity in the future.”

His three-month suspension began on February 11. He has the right of appeal.