Moray Council Convener defends himself after councillors raise concerns about his past
Marc Macrae was elected last month, but 13 councillors have "grave concern" at his appointment as Convener.
A North East politician has defended himself after more than a dozen councillors raised concerns about his past.
Moray Council Convener Marc Macrae was elected last month, but 13 councillors have "grave concern" at his appointment to the role.
They've sent him an open letter demanding he refers himself to the Standards Commission or face a vote of no confidence.
Their action comes after Councillor Macrae's former Tory colleague Frank Brown said he shouldn't be Convenor due to complaints made about his previous behaviour.
Councillor Macrae confirmed he has spoken to the Standards Commission about the matter this week.
He said: "It’s a very difficult thing at a time when we’re trying to move the Council forward and work together as a cooperative Council.
"I have been in contact with the ethics Standards Commissioner of Scotland this week and I’m assured and very pleased to learn that the one instance which is spoken about was fully investigated.
"They have no interest in taking things further, it was dealt with internally in the Council
"It’s a matter which really should be put behind.
"It’s a former colleague, who is no longer an elected member who has a personal dislike for reasons that are known best to him."
'No suggestion I wasn't fit and proper to assume Convenor role' - Cllr Macrae
Councillor Macrae admitted the "reputational damage" is concerning him.
He added: "Personally, I’m very disappointed in some of the comments that have been made.
"These people who have made the comments are basing these on information they’ve had third party from a former colleague.
"If they were more informed, they may have chosen not to make those comments.
"It’s fair to say I’ve had no complaints from any senior officer or the corporate management team of Moray Council.
"There was never any suggestion that I was not a fit and proper person to assume the role.
"The reputational damage is something that does concern me greatly.
"I am not trying to damage Moray Council, a former colleague is trying to damage Moray Council with information he has passed on to other councillors which has no foundation.
"I would ask people, judge me on what I do. I received a very high vote in the election back in May.
"There’s certainly the confidence of the people of Moray that I represent and if I could just get on with the day job and bring all 25 other councillors with me, we have a very good chance to have a strong council for Moray."