Sirs,
Western Isles Council on 21st April confirmed it considered £50 million required to be saved over the next five years, reading from the manifestoes of Westminster austerity parties of Labour and Conservative.
On 28th April it issued a press release stating £15 million may be the order of magnitude;
avoiding any reference whatever to its earlier prediction.
The Labour Party seized
on the £15 million cut as if it were an increase, claiming the £50 million figure
was scaremongering by the SNP, despite the BBC holding evidence of the authenticity
of the original information.
Notwithstanding that both scenarios are dire, an explanation is necessary as to why
the Comhairle felt it should contradict its earlier position. Was it brought to bear?
Was the press release of 28th April the result of party political pressure and who
exactly applied that pressure?
Considerable evidence already exists of questionable
conduct by some councillors in seeking to apply pressure on the returning officer
regardless of the fact councillors have no remit over the work of a returning officer.
Importantly no complaint is known to have been lodged despite the rhetoric of feigned
shock.
A longstanding area of interest exists over interpretation of appropriate conduct
within the councillors' code of conduct relating to register of interests. It is
increasingly suspected that party politically active councillors, concerned about
a tainted brand, are hiding their affiliations under the guise of independents.
The
principles which specify integrity, openness and honesty in relation to declaration
of interests are intended to introduce transparency in regard to interests which
might influence or be thought to influence actions as a councillor.
I will be writing further to Accounts Commission for Scotland and the Commission
for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland for clear guidance on whether they
consider it is the withholding of party political activities from the public record
which is appropriate or that it is acceptable for it to be considered separate from
their role as a councillor applying ("objective test").
Donald Manford
Leader of the SNP Group
on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Letter: Was party political pressure exerted on Comhairle bosses, queries Manford
5 May 2015