An SNP councillor in Aberdeen has said she is “sincerely sorry” after a watchdog found she breached conduct rules by failing to declare a company directorship.
It is understood the Ethical Standards Commissioner has upheld a complaint accusing Jessica Mennie of contravening the councillors’ code of conduct.
We previously reported that she was facing investigation for failing to state in her register of interests that she was a director of a firm called Mennico Ltd.
The commissioner has sent a report to the Standards Commission for Scotland outlining the verdict.
The commission decided to schedule an online hearing to consider the case, and potential sanctions, for April 28.
The Bridge of Don councillor, who is vice convener of the city’s education committee, set up the company with her brothers in November 2021.
Ms Mennie said: “I am sincerely sorry about the error in my register of interests.
‘Genuine oversight’
“It was a genuine oversight as the company name that I registered with my brothers was and had always been non-operational, never ever traded, and didn’t even have a bank account.
“As soon as the error was brought to my attention, I immediately updated it on my register of interests for anyone to access.
“I have since removed my name from the listed directors to help resolve the issue and have updated my register accordingly.
“I am more than happy to provide all documentation evidencing that the company, which was registered in name only, had never traded, and hope this is taken into consideration for what was sincerely and genuinely an oversight on my part.”
The Ethical Standards Commissioner investigates complaints which claim councillors have breached its code of conduct.
The commissioner sends a report to the Standards Commission on the conclusion of the probe, then a decision is taken on whether there should be a hearing, further investigation, or no action taken.
Councillors can face censure, suspension or disqualification if they are found to have breached the code of conduct.
Mennico Ltd’s business type is listed on Companies House as “other holiday and other collective accommodation”, as well as “other amusement and recreation activities not elsewhere classified”.
Ms Mennie ceased to be a director of the firm on February 5 this year.
She was elected to the city council in October 2019, after a by-election in the Bridge of Don ward, before winning re-election in May last year.
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