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Council co-leader Alex Nicoll refuses site visit at Union Terrace Gardens as he ‘doesn’t do hard hats and hi-viz’

Council co-leader Alex Nicoll, pictured here in hi-viz gear, was under fire for refusing a trip to Union Terrace Gardens. The reason he gave? He "doesn't do hard hats and hi-viz". Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson.
Council co-leader Alex Nicoll, pictured here in hi-viz gear, was under fire for refusing a trip to Union Terrace Gardens. The reason he gave? He "doesn't do hard hats and hi-viz". Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson.

Aberdeen City Council co-leader Alex Nicoll turned down an onsite update on the £30 million Union Terrace Gardens refurbishment because he doesn’t “do hard hats and hi-viz”.

The SNP group leader has been called “infantile and pathetic” for the refusal to don PPE last week.

Conservatives claim the refusal should “cast doubt on his aptitude” for the top job at a council so focused on the regeneration of the city centre.

The Union Terrace Gardens revamp has run £1.5m over budget and is at least a year overdue.

Work on Union Terrace Gardens continues. Co-leader Alex Nicoll turned down the chance of an update on the £30m revamp last week as he "doesn't do hard hats".
Work on Union Terrace Gardens continues. Co-leader Alex Nicoll turned down the chance of an update on the £30m revamp last week as he “doesn’t do hard hats”.

With work beginning under the previous Conservative and Labour administration in 2019, it’s now taken longer to complete than one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.

‘Sorry not joking– I do not do hard hats and hi-viz’

An e-mail thread, first reported by the Sun but now seen by The P&J, reveals the former police detective’s blunt messages to city officials.

Chief capital officer John Wilson was still chasing a response from the co-leader at 4.53pm the day before the planned visit.

Emails seen by The P&J between co-leader Alex Nicoll and council chief capital officer John Wilson. Image: Mhorvan Park/DC Thomson
Emails seen by The P&J between co-leader Alex Nicoll and council chief capital officer John Wilson. Image: Mhorvan Park/DC Thomson

He had hoped to meet Mr Nicoll and others at 8am outside Marischal College last Thursday, September 22.

However, 14 minutes later the SNP leader replied succinctly: “Sorry do not do hard hats and hi-viz.”

The reply was so unexpected at first Mr Wilson did not understand.

Alex Nicoll, pictured in a high visibility vest at the centre and rear of the group, turned down a trip to Union Terrace Gardens because he "doesn't do hard hats and hi viz". Image: Aberdeen City Council.
Alex Nicoll, pictured in a high visibility vest at the centre and rear of the group, turned down a trip to Union Terrace Gardens because he “doesn’t do hard hats and hi-viz”. Image: Aberdeen City Council.

It appears he thought Mr Nicoll meant he didn’t have the correct kit.

“Sorry for my being unclear,” the hard-headed co-leader added. “I do not attend anything that requires me to wear a hard hat or hi-viz jacket.”

SNP finance convener visited Union Terrace Gardens instead

His Liberal Democrat co-leader Ian Yuill and SNP finance convener Alex McLellan were also invited.

Liberal Democrat co-leader of the council, Ian Yuill, is no stranger to a hard hat and hi viz ensemble. He is understood to have been unable to attend Union Terrace Gardens either. Image: Paul Glendell/DC Thomson.
Liberal Democrat co-leader of the council, Ian Yuill, is no stranger to a hard hat and hi-viz ensemble. He is understood to have been unable to attend Union Terrace Gardens either. Image: Paul Glendell/DC Thomson.

Council officials confirmed Mr McLellan attended, where it is understood he was appropriately dressed for the building site.

Mr Yuill is yet to respond to The P&J, though the Sun reported he had a prior engagement.

Alex Nicoll branded ‘infantile and pathetic’ for Union Terrace Gardens snub

But Mr Nicoll’s snub drew ire from north-east Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden.

While co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, Douglas Lumsden was often adorned in hi viz and protective gear. the now north-east Conservative MSP is pictured here with former Labour co-leader Jenny Laing. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.
While co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, Douglas Lumsden was often adorned in hi-viz and protective gear. the now north-east Conservative MSP is pictured here with former Labour co-leader Jenny Laing. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

A former co-leader of the council himself, he told The P&J: “The SNP in Aberdeen will be embarrassed by Alex Nicoll’s infantile and pathetic behaviour.

“A real leader should be out there championing the city, shouting from the rooftops about regeneration.

“So these remarks cast doubt on his aptitude for the job.

Conservative north-east MSP Douglas Lumsden - then co-leader of Aberdeen City Council - in a hard hat and hi viz gear on a tour of the P&J Live site in 2019. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.
Conservative north-east MSP Douglas Lumsden – then co-leader of Aberdeen City Council – in a hard hat and hi-viz gear on a tour of the P&J Live site in 2019. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

“Aberdeen and its representatives should be proud of what’s been accomplished over the last several years.

“Award-winning projects like Aberdeen Art Gallery were left to succeed almost in spite of the nationalists.”

Conservatives on the council last week suggested renaming Union Terrace Gardens in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Nicoll was approached for comment.

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