Two Glasgow councillors resign from the SNP after one faces legal charges

Elspeth Kerr announced that she would resign alongside colleague Michael Cullen

Glasgow councillor Elspeth Kerr has announced her resignation from the SNP after accusations of ‘bullying and corruption’.

She has resigned alongside her colleague Michael Cullen, councillor for Garscadden and Scotstounhill, who has been charged in relation to perverting the course of justice over allegations he made of sexual assault.

The Glasgow Times has reported that Michael Cullen denies the charges.

Cllr Kerr took to Twitter and named the head of the council as a reason for her resignation.

Susan Aitken has been head of Glasgow City Council since 2017 and is councillor for Langside ward.

Cllr Kerr wrote: “Glasgow City Council ran by Susan Aitken is nothing but a Dictatorship! I cannot stand by a party that allows bullying and corruption of this nature.

Elspeth Kerr and Michael Cullen have both resigned from the SNP

“Being a strong woman myself I am not bullied easily but Susan has tried at every opportunity.

“Every time I tried to express my opinion I was silenced, I feel that my community was silenced with me.

“I became a Councillor to be a voice for my already silenced community not to be silenced more.

“As I always have done, I will continue to work hard for the people of Ward 14 as they are my top priority!”

Cllr Kerr has been a member of the SNP for 30 years, but is now working as an Independent councillor for her ward.

An SNP Spokesman said: “At a meeting with the SNP Whip on Thursday, Cllr Michael Cullen confirmed that he is currently facing potential legal action, and would step aside from the SNP in the meantime, in line with party protocol.

“Cllr Kerr objected to this course of action, and indicated that she would leave the SNP as a result. While we are disappointed by that decision, we would clarify that Cllr Kerr has at no stage made any allegations of bullying within the SNP group.”

Susan Aitken have been approached for comment.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website