Aberdeen’s lord provost has been accused of sexism for a second time after interrupting a female councillor to tell her she had been “going on”.
The row erupted during a tense council meeting yesterday when independent Jennifer Stewart was discussing her concerns about lighting at the beach.
As Mrs Stewart explained her safety concerns over the darkened promenade, the SNP’s David Cameron cut her off.
Presiding over the meeting as chairman, he interrupted to tell her she had been “going on quite long”.
Mrs Stewart fired back about the “unfair” treatment, accusing Mr Cameron of having a personal vendetta against her.
What was said during fiery exchange?
Bristling at being silenced, Mrs Stewart said: “It’s not fair, having a go at me.
“Is it just me, or is it women? Is it a strong independent woman? Because you don’t do it to others.”
Mr Cameron said that he had opted to cut short her contribution as she had asked a question of officers, and he wanted them to provide an answer.
Mrs Stewart said: “I put the question to you lord provost… Is it just me, or is it me as a woman, or what is it that you constantly have a go at me?”
Ignoring the question, Mr Cameron said: “Sorry, we are just going to move on.”
At that point, Mrs Stewart left the room with the council’s chief executive Angela Scott.
Later on, as she stood up to speak on a separate issue, she said she felt some “intimidation” about getting involved in the debate.
Was it sexist? ‘No, absolutely not!’
Mr Cameron today told the P&J he was simply trying to make sure the meeting continued at an “efficient” pace.
It comes as the new administration has vowed to do away with discussions lasting long into the night, a staple of Aberdeen City Council for many years.
When asked if there was any sexist motivation, he replied: “Absolutely not, absolutely not.”
He stressed that earlier in the meeting he had cut short his own SNP colleague, Alex McLellan, for similar reasons.
He added: “We were very aware of the weather and didn’t want the meeting to run into a second day.
“We can’t have people making a speech when they are meant to be asking questions.”
But Mr Cameron admitted it was “unfortunate” that his intervention caused such a “public fight”.
And he told us he would speak to Mrs Stewart personally to explain his side of things.
“I will do my very best to sort it out,” he said.
Do you think it was sexist? Let us know in our comments section below
A similar row erupted this summer
It’s not the first time Mr Cameron has sparked controversy in the chambers.
Earlier this year, he came under fire for refusing to hear an emergency plea to protect women from “fear and intimidation” at abortion clinics.
Deena Tissera, who was trying to fight for buffer zones, had her efforts stymied as Mr Cameron blocked her urgent motion.
The lord provost insisted it was because it was handed in too late.
But the “disappointed” Labour councillor said: “Maybe it is because he is a man that he does not understand how urgent it is that the council provides protection to women seeking advice regarding an abortion.”
Mr Cameron’s selection as lord provost did not come without controversy.
The provost’s latest scrape has echoes of a fracas his Tory prime minister namesake became embroiled in back in 2011.
Conservative David Cameron made the ill-judged decision to tell shadow Treasury chief secretary, Angela Eagle, to “calm down, dear” in a 2011 debate.
What is a lord provost?
The lord provost serves as the civic representative and first citizen of Aberdeen.
They act as ambassadors for the Granite City, hosting hundreds of civic events, as well as chairing full council meetings.
Lord provosts also act as the Queen’s lord lieutenant, attending events on behalf of Her Majesty.
You can watch the meeting here, with the row flaring up at the 2:46 mark.
