Lib Dem Holyrood hopeful quits over prostitution charges

Councillor Gordon Leslie, a veteran member of Aberdeen City Council's ruling Lib Dem Group, announced his resignation as the party's candidate for the new Aberdeen Donside constituency yesterday.

His departure came less than 24 hours after he was named as the Lib Dems' choice to contest the seat in the Holyrood elections, following a meeting of the party's Aberdeen North branch.

Councillor Leslie stood down as it was revealed he is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court next Thursday in connection with a series of sex charges. He is facing five charges under the Prostitution (Public Places) Scotland) Act.

The 64-year-old bachelor has also stepped down from a number of committee roles on the city council, including his position as vice-convener of the social care and wellbeing committee and convener of the children's services sub committee.

Mr Leslie said yesterday: "I didn't think it would come to this. All I got was a piece of paper from the police telling me to appear for a hearing.

"I don't want to make any further comment on what may happen. Let's leave it at that."

He added: "I am single - I've always been single. I don't want to make any other comments."

Mr Leslie was due to stand against sitting SNP MSP Brian Adam and Barney Crockett, the leader of the city council's Labour group, in the new constituency of Aberdeen Donside, the redrawn Aberdeen North seat at Holyrood.

A spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats in Scotland confirmed that Mr Leslie stood down with immediate effect yesterday morning. She added: "He was nominated as the candidate on Monday."

She declined to make any further comment but confirmed that Mr Leslie remained a member of the party.

News of his court appearance sent shockwaves through Aberdeen's Town House yesterday where the diminutive councillor is a popular figure.

But Councillor Willie Young, the secretary of the Labour Group, said that, in the event of a conviction, his position as a councillor would become untenable.

Councillor John Stewart, the leader of both the joint Lib Dem and SNP administration and the Liberal Democrat group on Aberdeen City Council, issued a brief statement in which he announced that Mr Leslie would be standing down from his committee roles on the council.

He said: "I understand that Councillor Leslie last night attended Grampian Police headquarters.

"Having spoken with Councillor Leslie, we have agreed that he stand down as vice-convener of the social care and wellbeing committee and associated roles."

Mr Leslie is a full time councillor and has been in local government for 11 years.He currently represents Bridge of Don on the council and serves on six committees and sub committees.

His appointments to outside bodies include the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, the Aberdeen Prison Visiting Committee, and the local Alcohol and Drugs Partnership. On the council website he lists his leisure interests as "avid supporter of Aberdeen Football Club, bowls and swimming".

A spokeswoman for Grampian Police said: "Grampian Police can confirm that a 64-year-old man has been reported to the procurator-fiscal regarding five contraventions of the Prostitution (Public Places) Scotland Act 2007.

"He is expected to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 3 March."