Two Aberdeen councillors who campaigned to bring a traditional nativity scene to the city say they have been frozen out of this year’s festive ceremony.
Liberal Democrats Jennifer Stewart and Martin Greig have been told they are not invited to take part in a blessing event at the Kirk of St Nicholas – despite having attended each year since it was established in 2009.
The ward members for Hazlehead, Ashley and Queen’s Cross claimed the exclusion was politically motivated and driven by senior members of the Labour-led coalition administration.
But Labour group secretary Willie Young insisted last night it was “wrong” to suggest politics had anything to do with the decision.
Mrs Stewart said she was “shocked” to receive an e-mail yesterday rescinding an earlier invitation to be involved in this year’s ceremony, on December 2.
She said: “I think this is absolutely appalling.
“Martin and I are trying to put the ‘Christ’ back into Christmas, but they are just excluding us to score cheap political points.
“It was our motion that secured the nativity scene, against opposition from Labour councillors at the time. I feel that we are being discriminated against.”
Mr Greig added: “Christmas is a time for peace and goodwill – it is totally wrong to be fostering political rivalries.”
The life-size set of figures, consisting of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus in a crib, three kings and two shepherds, was bought in 2009 at a cost of £1,800.
It originally went on display at the Academy Shopping Centre in Belmont Street, but has moved to a specially constructed shed in the St Nicholas churchyard.
Mr Young, the city’s finance convener, said a decision was made by the ruling administration that depute leader Marie Boulton should attend the ceremony. He insisted either Mrs Stewart or Mr Greig could still attend, but said it would not be possible to accommodate both.
He said: “We felt there was a need to change what has been happening over the past three years, it is important that the depute leader represents her office.” He added: “It is absolutely wrong to suggest this is politically motivated, in fact it is a disgrace to say that, this is about faith, and we would never bring politics into that.”