Councillor suspended over 'aggressive' behaviour towards ex-leader

A former Conservative councillor has been suspended for three months after an investigation found he behaved in an "aggressive and intimidating manner" towards the ex-leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC).

John Denerley, who is profoundly deaf, lost his temper during a private Conservatives group meeting in December 2023.

A Standards Commission investigation said he pushed past the then council leader, Gail Macgregor, which "resulted in her losing her balance and falling against the table".

The suspension - which can be appealed against - began on 11 February but a report on its findings will go before the local authority next week.

Denerley, who is now an independent, was also accused of throwing his papers and possessions on a table upon entering the council chamber before pointing and shaking his fist at the council monitoring officer in an angry and aggressive way, according to the report by the Standards Commission.

Following a hearing at the Municipal Chambers in Dumfries, on 3 February, three panel members concluded that, "on the balance of probabilities", he had breached the councillors' code of conduct on three counts.

The former council leader was left in tears, while her colleague Graham Bell escorted her out of the room.

The findings will be tabled at a full council meeting on 26 March.

The report said the incident arose due to a misunderstanding about whether interpreters were required and available for a meeting of the Conservative group before a full council meeting.

"The Ethical Standards Commissioner contended that the respondent's conduct caused the council meeting to be delayed by an hour," it said.

"Before it recommenced, the respondent was asked and had agreed to leave."

The hearing was told that Macgregor said Denerley was upset that no interpreters were present and denied, via written notes, that he had submitted apologies for the meeting.

After she confirmed with the council's monitoring officer that apologies had been received, she suggested he use a translation app, but he refused.

Macgregor attempted to begin the political group meeting, but Denerley followed her, threw down his papers, and insisted it could not start without an interpreter.

The Standards Commission report detailed that Denerley stood very close behind Macgregor, leaning over her shoulder and obstructing her.

It said she had been "gobsmacked" by his behaviour which had left her "stunned, shaken and in tears".

Police Scotland were contacted and Denerley was given a formal warning.

In his defence, he argued that his relationship with the council's monitoring officer was already strained before these events.

The Standards Commission report stated there had been "systemic difficulties" in the way the council engaged with him as a deaf person.

"The respondent indicated this contributed to any frustration he had experienced on the day," it added.

"The respondent stated that, having been the victim of such behaviour in the past, he recognised that any harassment and bullying was unacceptable and a serious matter.

"The respondent described the conduct attributed to him as uncharacteristic and advised that he looked forward to continuing to serve his constituents with respect and integrity in the future."

Reporting by local democracy journalist Marc McLean.