A bylaw to ban begging in Aberdeen city centre has been rejected by the Scottish Government.
The local authority wanted to make the practice a criminal offence in order to crackdown on people harassing passers-by for money.
But the Scottish Government justice department said having considered the objections and the council’s response it was “not persuaded” a bylaw was “conducive to good rule and government” or would help deal with the problem.
City finance convener Willie Young called it “a sad day for local democracy” and accused the government being politically motivated.
“What we have here is the SNP government rejecting our proposal based on politics rather than on helping those most in need, which in this case is the beggars themselves because the proposals would have helped the beggars rather than hindered them,” he said.
“From our view it is a really sad day for local democracy. It just shows the centralisation of the SNP.”
Scott Baxter, depute chief executive of Aberdeen Cyrenians, said the charity had never supported making begging a criminal offence.
“We sincerely hope that a line is drawn now and the equivalent resources expended to date can be focused in addressing the needs of those that require support now and in the future,” he said.
Aberdeen Donside SNP MSP Mark McDonald said: “I am pleased that the Scottish Government have rejected this Dickensian proposal from Aberdeen City Council which did not have the backing of police, prosecutors or charities.
“It is a sad reflection of how far the Labour Party has fallen from its origins that they wished to criminalise the poor and the vulnerable, rather than to help them.”
Alan Bree, operations manager with Aberdeen Inspired, said while the business organisation had no view on the bylaw, a number of traders had complained of beggars blocking entrances and fire exits, and younger staff feeling threatened while closing up.
“We are also aware that there are ‘professional’ beggars who travel some distance to come to Aberdeen,” he said.
“We would encourage the use of the designated begging boxes around the city centre to ensure that these donations are appropriately targeted.”