The co-leader of Aberdeen council has been accused of “unsubstantiated scaremongering” in predicting coronavirus could hit the city for £50 million.
Douglas Lumsden told The Press And Journal he thought the local authority could be left short of the huge sum, given the lack of usual income during lockdown.
But his economic forecast has left political opponents confused as the £50 million estimate is tens of millions more than they have been briefed on.
It is understood the working assumption at the Town House is a £20 million shortfall– dependent on how long the lockdown continues.
Council officials are preparing a report for next month’s urgent business committee, outlining the financial impact of the pandemic.
It will cover the effect on the local authority’s budgets, agreed only last month, including the planned spending on housing and health and social care.
Last night Mr Lumsden again stated the financial blow could be up to £50 million but said he had asked officers to look at steps to mitigate the impact to £20 million.
But SNP Group Leader Alex Nicoll branded Mr Lumsden a “disgrace” for unnecessarily politicising the Covid-19 outbreak.
He said: “He is using this unprecedented situation we find ourselves in to yet again pick a fight with the Scottish Government.
“Mr Lumsden provided no evidence to suggest the costs would be as high as £50 million and similarly no evidence around what these “mitigations” that could save £30 million would be.
“At this moment in time nobody can predict the final cost to the council, but given we have people dying in our care homes from Covid-19, he should focus on protecting the people in our city and not trying to grab a headline.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Yuill also said he “did not recognise” the £50 million estimate.
“And neither, to the best of my knowledge, do council officers,” he added.
“It just seems to lack any substance and the last thing we need in these challenging times is unsubstantiated scaremongering.”
Responding to the accusations, Mr Lumsden said: “My discussions with senior officials as finance convener would suggest that our shortfall could be in the region of £50 million.
“However, even if through the mitigation measures I have asked officers to look at we can reduce this significantly to £20 million, it is incumbent on both the SNP and Liberal Democrats to put the case for substantial financial assistance from the Scottish Government to protect vital services.”