A north-east councillor claims he has been made the victim of “seriously vicious rumours” after “categorically untrue” allegations about inappropriate behaviour emerged.
Hamish Partridge, who represents the Troup ward on Aberdeenshire Council, has contacted the police concerning the accusations, which he says have devastated his family.
Police have confirmed that no crime has been reported in relation to Mr Partridge and said officers were investigating how the rumours surfaced.
The councillor last night declined to comment on the matter beyond saying that he had “no idea” why anyone would target him in such a manner.
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But he detailed the impact the ordeal has had in a post on his public Facebook page.
Mr Partridge wrote: “Clearly someone has decided to target me and my family with a seriously vicious rumour that is categorically untrue.
“It is an absolute gut-wrenching feeling that has made me physically sick and continues to make me feel sick deep down inside.
“I certainly don’t know why anyone has decided it was a good idea to make up such a vicious story.”
Mr Partridge, who runs a confectionery shop on Fraserburgh High Street, added: “I just can’t get my head round it.
“Anyone who knows me and my wife or my family will know we are basically together 24/7.
“I don’t know how I could have even done these terrible things without my family’s knowledge or why anyone would even say I had.
“This is a life-destroying rumour for my family.
“I can’t describe the feeling, but I would hope anyone who knows me knows this is completely untrue.”
The councillor’s wife, Maree Partridge, took to her own Facebook page to appeal for help in identifying the source of the “evil rumours”.
She said: “The hurt and upset these rumours have caused is unbelievable.”
A police spokeswoman confirmed that Mr and Mrs Partridge had brought the accusations to the attention of the force.
She said: “There is no investigation into the accusation itself.
“The councillor has contacted police to say that this had been written about him online.
“No complaint relating to Mr Partridge has been reported to police.”
The independent councillor, who is a member of the authority’s administration group, was first elected in 2012 and is also a member of Fraserburgh Development Trust.
