Council leader’s comments on sleaze allegations were arrogant and dismissive

Jan 8 2009 by Our Correspondent, West Lothian Courier

I WRITE in response to last week’s front page story regarding sleaze allegations relating to certain members of the administration currently running West Lothian Council.

I do not wish to make any comment on the specific allegations made, I will leave this to Lothian Borders Police and the Standards Commission for Scotland.

I do, however, want to take issue with the arrogant and dismissive comments of council leader Peter Johnston.

I must remind councillor Johnston that it was not any opposition councillor who called in the police to investigate administration councillors but his own chief executive, Alex Linkston, who did so on the advice of the council's chief legal officer, Gordon Blair.

I think councillor Johnston would be better advised to save his comments for the numerous inquiries that he and his colleagues will be involved in over the next few weeks and months.

Councillor Neil Findlay