Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Council "Vote-rigging, Bullying And Harassment"

Scottish Labour HQ is pressurising one of its council leaders to quit after the official local authority watchdog Audit Scotland published a damning report on the management of West Dumbartonshire Council.

It is the most serious clash within Scottish Labour local government since the rows over North Lanarkshire and Glasgow councillors eight years ago.

Scottish general secretary Lesley Quinn followed up with a letter last April, saying the investigation had found vote-rigging, bullying, and harassment within the Labour group.

The Executive said the problems were so serious that it could send in a hit squad to take over running of the council.

The leader of West Dunbartonshire Council's ruling Labour group, Andy White, replied to an invitation to discuss the situation, saying: "I won't be able to attend the meeting."

Andy White, Labour Group leader