A Black Lives Matter campaigner said it was “utterly devastating” to see a councillor forgiven for using discriminatory language at a time when millions are joining forces to combat racism.
The P&J yesterday revealed that Aberdeen councillor Ryan Houghton has been allowed back into the Scottish Conservatives after a six-month ban.
Eight years ago, Mr Houghton had written that parts of the Holocaust were “fabricated and exaggerated”.
The George Street and Harbour member says the “isolated” remarks which led to his suspension – which also included posts that addressed Islam and homosexuality – were taken out of the context of a political discussion and do not reflect his views.
News of his readmittance broke only hours after hundreds had pinned up anti-racist messages at various Aberdeen sites on Sunday.
Organiser of the demonstration, Mae Diansangu, said the timing of Mr Houghton’s acceptance back into the party was jarring.
She said: “It was so heartwarming to see there are so many people in Aberdeen who do care and support change.
“Then you see there are no real consequences for Mr Houghton and it leaves you utterly devastated.”
The peaceful Black Lives Matter protest coincided with others happening across the world in outrage at the death of George Floyd, who died while being arrested in America last month.
Mr Houghton has apologised for his historic comments, and claimed his words had been taken out of the context of what was a political discussion.
But the row cost him the backing of Conservative HQ at last year’s general election.
This week, he said his “isolated” comments in no way reflect his political or professional record, adding he finds prejudice of any kind “abhorrent”.
A disciplinary panel recommended his reinclusion as he had shown “unreserved acceptance what he had done when much younger was wrong”.
Miss Diansangu added: “It’s very disappointing it’s all been about him and how he’s accepted what he did was wrong.
“It should be about how his words have made other people feel.”
The Muslim Council Of Britain also condemned the move.
But last night Aberdeen Labour councillor Tauqeer Malik, a prominent figure in the city’s Muslim community, defended his administration colleague.
Mr Houghton’s deputy business manager said: “I have worked very closely with Ryan since he was elected three years ago.
“He is a very nice lad and I have never witnessed him be intolerant.”
