Council-backed magazines 'being used as political tool'

Published on Wednesday 26 December 2007 09:54

SENIOR administration councillors are facing a probe amid allegations they are using publicly-funded magazines for political ends.

A formal complaint has been lodged with Edinburgh's most senior official, chief executive Tom Aitchison, after at least four internal magazines featured photographs of Lib Dem councillors, including leader Jenny Dawe.

Labour councillor Andrew Burns has now accused the group of using the internal City News magazine as a promotional tool for the political party.

The charge was today dismissed by Councillor Dawe, but Councillor Burns – who was both transport and education leader during the previous administration – insisted: "

It seems different standards are now being applied."

Under the previous administration, Cllr Burns said council photographers always took pictures both with and without politicians, and care was taken to ensure snaps of then-council leaders Donald Anderson or Ewan Aitken rarely – if ever – appeared in official publications.

The Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart councillor has promised to donate 500 to the charity of choice of the current Lord Provost, if anyone can find a departmental council publication between May 1999 and May 2007 with eight or more pictures of then-administration politicians.

The latest edition of Involve, a publicly-funded magazine distributed to more than 4000 social workers, home helps and other care staff, is said to contain eight pictures of Lib Dem councillors – three of leader Jenny Dawe, two each of health and social care chief Paul Edie and Lord Provost George Grubb, and one of education leader Marilyne MacLaren.

A previous edition attacked criticism after featuring six different pictures of Cllr Edie. The current edition of City News is also said to carry a picture of an administration councillor – this time the Lord Provost – while the previous edition, obtained by the Evening News, has a large picture of Jenny Dawe, alongside Location, Location, Location presenters Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp.

But Cllr Dawe said today: "To suggest that we are using council publications for political purposes is absolute nonsense."

A council spokeswoman added: "The council newspaper Outlook's policy is to not to include pictures or quotations from councillors except on occasions when this would be deemed public information. Staff newsletters are different and there may be occasions where it is appropriate."