Cancer fear over ‘miracle worker’ councillor

TO his constituents, he is a successful businessman dedicated to regenerating his home town.

But outside his ward, Scotland on Sunday can reveal Councillor Alan Gardiner is a self-proclaimed “miracle” worker who claims he can cure cancer.

The Peterhead-based public servant, who insists he can channel the power of the Holy Spirit, said he did not want his faith-healing sideline to become public knowledge, believing it could stir up “ill ­feeling”.

But Gardiner has incurred the wrath of the UK’s largest cancer charity, which has branded his claims “irresponsible and dangerous” and urged people not to abandon scientifically-proven treatments.

The company director of Buchan-based Rockview Properties has been filmed promising he could use his powers to heal any ailment at a Glasgow gospel hall.

In an emotionally charged sermon at the city’s Destiny Church, an independent evangelical organisation, Gardiner told worshippers they could have any wish granted if they came forward and pledged their allegiance to Christ.

Gardiner said: “Are you in pain tonight? It doesn’t matter if it’s a physical, emotional or financial situation.

“It doesn’t matter how much the experts say it is too bad to sort and nothing can happen.

“If only you are willing to reach out an explosion of healing and restoration will take place in your life tonight.

“You will receive whatever you are believing for.”

The independent representative added: “I’m declaring to you with absolute 100 per cent faith and confidence that God heals and delivers. Through the power of the Holy Spirit I am willing to heal you.”

The member of Aberdeenshire’s influential Infrastructure Services Committee claimed he had personally engineered a “miracle” for a man with a serious ear affliction.

The father of three said: “I laid hands on his ear and prayed that God would do a recreative miracle.

“Apparently, he went into the hospital and the doctor said: ‘Something has happened. It is as if somebody has created new parts in your ear’.

“I don’t know what condition you might have. It could be a cancer. It could be anything chronic.

“You don’t have to put up with that chronic condition. I believe I have seen people come out of wheelchairs. I’ve seen people healed of cancer.”

Inviting the sick to come forward he stated: “You will be connected with heaven itself. This is not a spectator sport. This is an interaction with the king of kings.

“Let the power of God come and touch these people.”

Cancer Research UK raised serious concerns over the idea of “miracle” cures.

Martin Ledwick, the charity’s head information nurse, said: “It is quite understandable that people with a religious faith would look for support and guidance from it when they are faced with a life threatening illness.

“But it is irresponsible and dangerous to make false or misleading claims about cures that have no basis in scientific fact. We would strongly recommend people don’t replace scientifically-proven treatments with alternatives that have no evidence to support them.”

Alistair McBay, Scottish spokesman for the National Secular Society, said: “Claiming to cure serious and potentially terminal ailments cruelly gives victims false hope and is likely to result in them abandoning medicines or deter them from receiving treatment, with potentially harmful or even lethal consequences.”

When contacted by Scotland on Sunday, Gardiner was clear he did not want his unorthodox sideline to be publicised.

He said: “I don’t want to stir it up to be honest.

“It’s an awkward situation for me to comment on the two [being a councillor and a spiritual healer] together.

“It’s something I’d prefer not to do an article on if you don’t mind. I’ve got nothing at all to say about it.”

Gardiner made no reference to his healing abilities during his campaign to represent Peterhead North last year.

Across the UK a number of self-proclaimed “faith healers” have been investigated by trading standards officials whose job is to ensure the public is protected from those making bogus assertions.

Glasgow City Council confirmed it had viewed Gardiner’s sermon, but was unwilling to take action because his claims were linked to his religious beliefs.

A spokesman said: “Many of the statements appear to be ones regarding faith and it’s doubtful the regulations were ever intended to deal with issues of faith.”