'Serious' financial allegations against Aberdeen councillor

Published on Thursday 25 June 2009 23:04

THE new deputy leader of the ruling Liberal Democrat group on Aberdeen City Council was yesterday at the centre of allegations of "serious" financial irregularities.

Veteran councillor Scott Cassie was elected to the deputy leader's post on Monday night, following a "coup" which led to administration leader Kate Dean being deposed from her post.

Mr Cassie was the long-standing convener of the planning committee, but was replaced in that post by John Stewart, the new leader of the Lib Dem group and new council leader, at Wednesday's meeting of the full council, before the allegations were made public.

The allegations are understood to centre on a four-figure sum of funds from Garthdee Community Council, which is chaired by Mr Cassie's wife, Moira.

Mr Cassie, who remains a member of the Lib Dem group, told The Scotsman yesterday that he was unaware of the specific allegation being made against him, and declared that he had done nothing wrong.

He said: "There is absolutely no comment I can make about it, because I know nothing about these allegations, apart from what has been in the papers.

"Nobody has told me yet, and until I get some concrete idea of what this is all about, I can't make any comment.

"All I know is that a complaint has been made to the council," he added.

"I have heard what these allegations are and I strenuously deny them."

Mr Cassie added: "I am not suspended and I am still the deputy leader of the Lib Dems at the moment."

The investigation has cast a cloud over the new leadership of the Liberal Democrat group, which runs the city council in a joint administration with SNP councillors.

Mr Stewart said he had called for an investigation to be carried out by council officials after a complaint had been made against the new deputy leader of his group to the local authority's monitoring officer.

He said: "I can confirm that the monitoring officers did receive a complaint which contained serious allegations against Councillor Cassie. It is my understanding that they relate to allegations of financial irregularities.

"I have asked for the allegations to be investigated and if any action is required as a result of the outcome of the investigation, then appropriate action will be taken both by the council and by the group."

Mr Stewart continued: "At the moment, he (Mr Cassie] remains a member of the group. He has not been suspended. Should, at any point, evidence come forward that would suggest the need to take further action, then I am confident the group will do that.

"But we are dealing only with allegations."

Mr Stewart added that Mr Cassie would "technically" remain planning committee convener until 31 July, when he will succeed him as the new convener of enterprise, planning and infrastructure.