Seven senior politicians in Aberdeen are to face a public hearing following complaints about “pro-union” letters that were issued to citizens with council tax bills.
The Standards Commission for Scotland has confirmed that five Labour, one Conservative and one independent member will have to appear before a panel to answer claims that they breached the councillors code of conduct.
The case relates to correspondence sent to all council tax payers in the city prior to September’s independence referendum.
The letter, signed by then leader Barney Crockett, said Aberdeen is “stronger now and will be stronger in the future – economically, politically and socially – as a partner within the United Kingdom”.
The mass mailing, which went out with 110,000 council tax and 6,500 business rate demands, prompted a string of complaints from members of the public, as well as opposition SNP councillors and local MSPs.
The matter was first raised with the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, who referred it to the Standards Commission.
The alleged breach has been considered serious enough to warrant a hearing, which indicates that the commissioner believes the code of conduct may have been contravened.
The specific allegation is in relation to section three of the code, which covers use of council facilities.
Mr Crockett has been named, alongside current leader Jenny Laing, finance convener Willie Young, communities housing and infrastructure convener Neil Cooney and Labour councillor Ross Grant.
Conservative Ross Thomson and former Tory councillor Fraser Forsyth will also have to appear at the hearing, which is scheduled for February 10 next year.
All seven councillors were formerly on the urgent business committee, which agreed for the letters to be issued.
Audit Scotland was previously asked to investigate the matter, but found no rules had been broken. The watchdog said the council did not incur any additional costs by including the statement in a message about the budget.
Mr Young, Labour group secretary, said: “Having a hearing does not in any way shape or form make us guilty of any offence or alleged offence.
“But we welcome the public hearing, and I am confident that we have complied fully with the code of conduct.”