Scottish independence: Aberdeen council staff can refer public to watchdogs

Aberdeen council staff have been told they can refer members of the public who are unhappy about letters endorsing a "No" vote in September's independence referendum to public service watchdogs.

The Labour-led administration decided more than 100,000 letters would be included in council tax bills.

BBC Scotland has learned staff have been told that they can refer the public to either Audit Scotland or the Standards Commission for Scotland.

Attempts to block the letters failed.

Aberdeen City Council is run by a coalition of Labour, the Conservatives and independents.

Not applicable

The SNP had called for the letters to be pulped, but the coalition backed the move to send them.

Labour council leader Barney Crockett insisted it was not political campaigning.

SNP and Lib Dem councillors had walked out of Tuesday's meeting after it was decided to hold the discussion on the letters in private.

Aberdeen City Council's chief executive Valerie Watts later told staff it was likely a number of complaints would be received about the letters.

The latest message to staff states that the authority's internal complaints process is "not applicable" for dealing with complaints on the issue.