A complaint has been dropped against a north-east councillor after a controversial online comment to a political rival sparked outrage.
SNP member Geva Blackett faced a standards investigation after making the remarks towards Tory MP for for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Andrew Bowie, on Twitter.
A comment posted online from an account named “alba_mellon” described Mr Bowie as “pathetic and grovelling” and suggested “dangling” him from Kincardine Bridge.
Mr Bowie initially responded to the Twitter post by joking that he wasn’t worried as Kincardine Bridge “is about 120 miles from West Aberdeenshire”, to which Ms Blackett said: “There’s always Invercauld Bridge Andrew, never fear”.
The case went to Ethical Standards Commissioner at the beginning of the month, who has now dismissed the complaint.
Last night, a spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that the complaints about Geva Blackett have been dismissed.
“We are required to treat complaints confidentially and therefore cannot give any further details.”
Earlier this month, Ms Blackett took a break from social media in the wake of the incident, and tendered her resignation as deputy convener of the Cairngorm National Park Authority (CNPA).
Xander McDade, board convener, said: “The CNPA were informed by the Ethical Standards Commissioner that they have considered the referral of Geva Blackett for potential breaches of the CNPA Code of Conduct and determined it was not in the public interest to pursue the matter any further, and have therefore dismissed the complaint.
“The matter is now closed and the CNPA will not be making any further comment.
“I thank the Ethical Standards Commissioner for their prompt consideration of this matter.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the local SNP group said: “Geva apologised at the time, and it was generally accepted that it was meant as a joke.
“Following the decision from the standards commission, it is hoped everyone can move on.”
