Questions asked over gay council chief’s priorities
Anger over pub invitation
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THE leader of Aberdeen City Council has been accused of “abusing” his power after it emerged he used office time to try to establish a support network for gay staff.
Opposition Labour and Conservative councillors said the move raised questions about John Stewart’s priorities at a time when the local authority is trying to make £60million of budget cuts, with more expected later this year.
The Liberal Democrat councillor used his work e-mail account to send a message to thousands of staff, inviting them to a city pub on Friday to discuss the merits of setting up a network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workers.
Mr Stewart, an openly gay man who is in a civil partnership with fellow Lib Dem councillor Neil Fletcher, has invited staff to Hyploc Bar in Commerce Street to “informally” discuss the issue.
Tory councillor Jim Farquharson said: “We have so many issues, so many problems, that to be focusing in on that looks much more like a personal agenda than anything relating to the council.
“I have no idea what the size of the potential membership might be and neither do I care, but it should not be a matter for this council.
“I don't talk about my lifestyle, it is not part of the council's duties, and I thought it was an abuse of his power and authority.”
Labour group spokesman Willie Young added: “I find it incredible that the leader of the council has time to explore setting up a LGBT staff group given the current state of the authority.
“I am concerned he is more worried about this than the real issues that affect our staff and constituents, such as school closures and proper pay settlements"
Mr Stewart said he was “astonished” that opposition councillors were criticising him because tackling discrimination is a priority for the authority.
He said they had not complained when the council agreed to join Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, of which neighbouring Aberdeenshire Council is also a member, to ensure equality in the workplace.
The council is paying £1,500 a year to be a part of the programme. Stonewall officials are visiting the city in November to discuss it with officials.
Mr Stewart said it took him seconds to send the three-line e-mail to staff and the meeting is being held after work at no expense to the taxpayer.
“I really do not know why they (his opponents) are getting their knickers in a twist about this,” he added.
“Part of the programme is to have a network and all I am doing is trying to find out if we can facilitate that. Councillor Young is welcome but under no obligation to come along.”
Heterosexual
Mr Stewart said heterosexual members of staff would be welcome to join the network, which he hopes will not cost the council any money and will be run by volunteers.
He added he will not be one of them and was only getting involved initially to get the project off the ground.
Council chief executive Sue Bruce confiscated homosexual lifestyle magazine The Gay Times from a private members’ lounge in the Town House in April.
In an e-mail sent to councillors, she said the magazine was “thoroughly inappropriate” reading material, given the efforts under way to restore the council’s battered reputation.
