Councillor criticised over Moray budget comments

Walter Wilson warned of "swingeing" cuts

A Moray councillor has been accused of spreading "fear and alarm" after he walked out of the ruling administration over budget proposals.

Walter Wilson said he had left the Conservative Party as well as the Conservative and independent coalition.

The Speyside Glenlivet councillor blamed "swingeing" cuts being proposed.

In response, council leader George Alexander said the authority was in a "dire financial situation" but criticised Mr Wilson's comments.

The SNP called for Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson to investigate.

'Right wing extremists'

Mr Wilson said the budget plans included the closure of a number of local libraries and would disproportionately impact on his constituents.

He said he was still a "social conservative" but could not sit alongside "right wing extremists".

He said: "This has been a long and difficult decision for me to take.

"When I first stood for election, I did so under the Conservative banner, believing in the values and ethos from the party.

"However, during budget discussions, it has become clear that my conscience will not allow me to vote for swingeing cuts to services throughout Moray but, more particularly, in my ward.

"Irreconcilable differences emerged within my own Conservative grouping and this has led me to take the decisions I have."

He added: "I would hope to continue to represent the ward of Speyside Glenlivet as an independent councillor, but will listen to constituents if they feel that I should resign my position as I am no longer aligned to the political party that they voted for."

In an open letter, council leader Mr Alexander said: "Many of you will have read about budget proposals that we as councillors are discussing, as told to the media by Councillor Wilson.

"Councillor Wilson's comments in the media are unfortunate, as it will have spread fear and alarm amongst staff and members of the public.

"Everyone in Moray is aware of the dire financial situation the council is in, and I make no secret of the fact that everything possible is being discussed in order to explore how the budget for 2018-19 can be balanced and essential services maintained.

"Every council department which is affected by any of our proposals will be informed in the next two weeks, and the possibility of redundancies will be openly discussed with staff."

Public domain

He added: "All the administration group's proposals will be in the public domain for consultation in December.

"I apologise for the alarm caused by Councillor Wilson's words, over which I had no control".

SNP Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: "Ruth Davidson must immediately order an investigation into her Moray organisation.

"Many local people will be troubled that some of the elected representatives who run Moray Council are deemed to be extremists by a colleague."