Moray Council Co-Leader confirms move to leave Tories
The Buckie and Findochty Councillor says poor behaviour from the party locally and nationally has affected his move.
Last updated 12th Jul 2022
Just 55 days after he was chosen to lead the Conservative Moray Council administration- Neil McLennan's leaving the party.
The Buckie and Findochty Councillor says poor behaviour from the party locally and nationally has affected his move.
His decision came just hours after the Moray Conservative group said Kathleen Robertson would lead the group on her own.
Following Councillor McLennan's statement last night, the group revealed he lost a vote of no confidence last month saying there were concerns raised about his behaviour.
McLennan will stay on as Co-Leader until at least the next meeting of Council on August 10th.
Both Neil McLennan and the Moray Conservatives insist this new dynamic will not effect the day-to-day running of the Council.
The Moray SNP group say the current situation is "incredible" and will be ready to take over the administration if needed.
Behaviours witnessed "do not sit well" - Cllr McLennan
In a lengthy statement, Councillor McLennan insisted issues over Boris Johnson's conduct and local Moray representatives effected his move.
He said: "I have taken the decision to position myself as an ‘Independent, One Nation leaning Councillor, away from the ‘unconstituted’, loose Conservative group that formed a minority administration at Moray Council after the recent local government elections.
"I remain an elected co-leader of The Moray Council, as per the motion and vote at the first Council meeting of the year and committed to that role.
"Some may not be happy with me in that position after my frank and direct challenging of conduct issues and double standards.
"However, I am clear what Audit Scotland reported on the impact of those behaviours on Moray and the good people that live in the area.
"The Standards Commission also recently tweeted that; “Holders of public office should actively promote and robustly support the key principles and challenge poor behaviours where it occurs #nolanprincples”.
Councillor McLennan also raised concerns over the UK's Education Secretary conduct, after she gestured to crowds outside Downing Street, and his feelings on the Scottish Conservative Party.
He continued: "Locally I have witnessed behaviours within the local party network which do not sit well with me personally nor would appear to fit well with Conservative party values.
"Some issues have been reported to the national party with no action taken thus far.
"It is clear from recent events that immediate attention needs to be given to good governance, good conduct and returning the focus onto issues that are important for voters."
Events "won't detract" from key Moray issues - Tories
Sole Leader of the Conservatives in Moray, Kathleen Robertson, revealed McLennan was voted out weeks ago
She said "Councillor McLennan received a letter from our group at the end of last month confirming his loss of a Vote of No Confidence which removed him as group leader, after concerns had been raised with me over his behaviour by councillors both within and outwith the Conservative group.
"However, we recognised the many talents he has and had hoped to use this summer recess period to reach a compromise to allow him to fully use his talents for the people of Moray as part of our group.
"It is disappointing that has not occurred and that this dispute has resulted in Councillor McLennan leaving our group.
"That will not detract myself and my fellow group of Moray Conservative councillors from focusing on the challenges facing our area and being an administration that delivers on the people's priorities."
Current Moray Council leadership "incredible situation" - SNP
SNP Council Group Co-Leader, Councillor Graham Leadbitter says the events ongoing with the Moray Conservatives will cause public concern.
He said: "We have the incredible situation that the Conservative Council Leader has been removed from Leadership of his Group, is now sitting on his own in Moray Council as a ‘temporarily’ ‘Independent’ councillor but is still the Co-Leader of Moray Council.
"Once again a group of Tory councillors in Moray have failed to make it through the summer committee break, less than 3 months after the election, without cracks or splits happening.
"The question folk must be asking is whether the Tories can maintain an Administration or if they will walk away as before.
"Whatever happens SNP councillors are committed to continuing the hard work required whether in Opposition or in Administration."