Council / Councillor Scott reported to the Ethical Standards Commissioner – again
SHETLAND Central councillor Ian Scott has again been reported to the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) for an alleged breach of the code of conduct for councillors.
The complaint centres on a letter councillor Scott submitted to Shetland News at the height of the heated debate over the local response to the war in Gaza, in February this year.
In it, Scott argued that so far, he had not seen any real evidence that would prove allegations of rape and torture during the 7 October Hamas attacks were accurate.
Shetland News published the letter on 20 February but withdrew it later the same day after receiving a complaint.
A spokesperson for the Ethical Standards Commissioner confirmed that a complaint about councillor Ian Scott had been received.
The ESC said it was unable to give any further details at this stage, but it is understood that the complaint alleges that the councillor’s comments were offensive and antisemitic.
Scott said that he had told the ESC that he “completely” rejects the allegation.
Back in January 2021, and following a four month investigation by the ESC, councillor Scott was cleared of allegations that he had accused council officials of lying.
The independent councillor had been reported by then council convener Malcolm Bell and leader Steven Coutts following a verbal clash in the council chamber in September 2020. However, the ESC dismissed the case.
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