Reform councillor in Glasgow facing hearing over comments made about suspended politician

A new Glasgow Reform councillor will face a code of conduct hearing over comments she made about suspended local Labour politician Frank McAveety, it is understood.

Councillor Audrey Dempsey made remarks about the former council leader and MSP during a podcast after she was suspended by Labour over her claims about a rise in racist attacks against white kids and teachers.

She is accused of “an alleged breach of the respect and courtesy provision of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct” and will face a Standards Commission hearing in December.

Community activist Alex O’Kane, who runs Facebook group No1seems2care, complained to the Standards Commission about comments made by Councillor Dempsey during a conversation with podcaster Craig Houston.

The interview, which first appeared on YouTube 11 months ago, shows councillor Dempsey discussing comments from Councillor McAveety where she alleges he described her question on racist attacks as ‘”very Tommy Robinson.’”

The Standards Commission announcement of the hearing comes less than a week after Reform released a statement about Councillor Dempsey defecting to the party.

Following her suspension last year from Labour, Councillor Dempsey quit the party to become an independent.

Mr O’Kane said he also accused Councillor Dempsey of stirring up “hatred towards black African school boys” and said she presented “no evidence” of black children attacking white kids.

It is understood the Standards Commission hearing is not related to that accusation.

Councillor Dempsey said: “I respect the Standards Commissioner process and will not discuss the details of the case before the hearing. ”

She said the hearing only relates to one part of Mr O’Kane’s complaint and is not related to comments about alleged racist attacks.

She added: “I will continue to engage fully and transparently with the process, and I trust the Commissioner to deal with the matter fairly.”

Councillor McAveety, currently an independent councillor, has been charged over fraud offences.