Councillor arrested in club fracas

A COUNCILLOR has been charged with police assault after an incident outside a city nightclub.

Lorna Shiels, 33, is alleged to have hit a 35-year-old constable who was called by doormen after an argument outside Mood nightclub in Greenside Place.

Ms Shiels, who is convener of the Central Local Development Committee and a member of the Lothian and Borders Fire Board, is alleged to have shouted at bouncers after she was turned away from the club.

After the incident, Ms Shiels is believed to have been taken to the city’s Gayfield Square police station to be questioned. She was later charged with police assault and breach of the peace.

The officer reportedly suffered a cut to the inside of his mouth.

But Ms Shiels has lodged a counter complaint about the behaviour of the officer she is alleged to have assaulted.

It is understood Ms Shiels’ occupation was given as student but she is also a director of a housing agency Capital City Homes.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "A 33-year-old woman has been charged with police assault and breach of the peace following an incident in Greenside Place. A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal."

The spokesman also confirmed that a complaint had been lodged against the officer involved in the incident, which happened on Saturday, June 12.

The Fountainbridge councillor is a former girlfriend of the ex-leader of Edinburgh City Council, Keith Geddes.

Police are viewing CCTV footage from outside the nightclub and are interviewing witnesses.

It is understood the officer has had a preliminary talk with police chiefs over the incident and will be questioned again by an independent investigator who will look into Ms Shiels’ complaint against him.

The councillor has been bailed to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court next month.

She declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Evening News.

Council leader Donald Anderson said the council would wait until legal proceedings had finished before deciding whether to launch its own investigation.

"Given that there is potential legal action pending it would be inappropriate for us to take any action until that is finished," he said.

"It is a very serious issue and in general terms the council would support all door staff or police officers in dealing fairly with the issue of entry to nightclubs.

"I cannot, however, comment on the specific details surrounding this case, because it is a legal matter."

Last month, the procurator fiscal dropped assault charges against the wife of Labour councillor Shami Khan.

Rozina Khan, 40, was arrested and charged following a collision with another vehicle in February last year.

The mother of three was alleged to have become abusive towards the driver and police officers who dealt with the incident and had faced charges of wasting police time and assaulting the driver in Leith Street.