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Office Of Administration And Hearings

Media Statement

Written Decision Of The Hearing Panel Issued Friday 15 October 2004

The Standards Commission for Scotland confirms its Hearing Panel finding that Councillor Danny Devlin breached the principle Respect set out in section 2 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors during a meeting of The West of Scotland Secure Care Centre Steering Group in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire on 05 November 2003.

The Panel found that Councillor Devlin failed on three occasions to follow the reasonable directions of the Chair of the meeting in that he failed to stop addressing the meeting when asked. The Panel concluded that Councillor Devlin contributed to the general disorder and in doing so failed to show respect to the Chair of the meeting and to members of the public who had attended in order to listen to the presentation.

The Panel further concluded that Councillor Devlin breached the Code of Conduct by failing to support the principles of the Code by leadership and good example, and by failing to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of the Council and its Councillors in conducting public business. The Panel decided that a short period of suspension was necessary to mark the seriousness of the breach of the Code of Conduct and the failure to lead by good example. The Panel took into account that the meeting on 5 November 2003 was a well attended and important public event with many people being disadvantaged by Councillor Devlin's conduct.

Councillor Devlin has been suspended from taking part in all meetings of the Council, its Committees and Sub-Committees for a period of 3 months from Thursday 21 October 2004, up to and including Wednesday 19 January 2004.

Councillor Devlin has received the Hearing Panel's detailed written decision.

Case Reference: LA/ER/26

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