Opposition councillors have hit back at claims they boycotted an historic Perth and Kinross Council ceremony.
The Kirkin’ of the Council, which took place on Sunday morning, is an annual procession in the Fair City which sees local authority officers, elected members and dignitaries march through the streets for a special dedication service.
The pipe band-led parade also involves members of the miltary and the local business community.
However, one Conservative councillor who took part in the ceremony has caused controversy by questioning why no opposition councillors attended.
Earlier this month, three independent councillors walked out of the Tory-led administration to form a new opposition group with the region’s only Labour representative Alasdair Bailey.
Conservative Angus Forbes said: “I was shocked to realise that not a single member of the two opposition parties were there.
“The Kirkin’ of the Council is entirely non-political and whilst I accept that individual councillors could not attend for entirely valid reasons, if they had decided to boycott the event then that’s playing petty politics with an event that’s steeped in history and tradition.”
Councillor Dave Doogan, leader of the local SNP group, insisted there was no boycott.
“It seems to me somebody is playing politics with this but I can guarantee it isn’t the SNP,” he said.
“I will not take lectures from any Tory over my record of attendance at Kirk events as I believe this is the first one I have been unavailable for in over six years as a councillor.”
Referring to a row when Mr Forbes was unable to attend his first day as a committee chairman, Mr Doogan added: “Councillor Forbes should focus his attention on turning up for the next Environment and Infrastructure Committee, which he is paid to chair but has so far failed to appear at, rather than crying foul over some spurious political boycott that exists only in his own seemingly narrow mind.”
Independent Xander McDade confirmed he couldn’t attend because of work commitments.
“There was no boycott,” he said.
“I personally was attending an event in my ward today.
“Personally I think my constituents would rather I support local events going on in Highland Perthshire than attending an event in Perth which has no effect on them.”
He added: “I find it ironic that Cllr Forbes who chose to play party politics with the council’s committee membership and voted to disregard decades of precedent with regards to fair representation a couple of weeks ago, is now trying to make out that opposition councillors are the ones playing party politics and disrespecting history.”
Mr Bailey also had work commitments. “I find it rather strange and provocative that anyone would suggest there was a boycott,” he said.
