Council’s shame

Seemingly, “Scotland’s shame” (Perspective, 7 March) over Donald Trump’s golf resort began with Aberdeenshire Council before “Trump’s facilitators in Edinburgh”.

Arguably with the council’s overturning of initial refusal there began the slow death of open government in Aberdeenshire.

Now top management proposes that “certain questions” from councillors can only be answered behind the scenes.

Apparently, unelected council officers say difficult questions in public from councillors aren’t helpful for “effective democracy”.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Aberdeenshire Council is showing the way to “managed democracy”. This includes using the rare “vexatious request notice” as a “gagging order” to stop questions from the public.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire