Sacked lady provost's 'shabby treatment'

THE Highlands' first woman provost yesterday attacked her "shabby treatment" at the hands of fellow councillors who sacked her from the prestigious post.

Liz MacDonald, who has been provost of Nairn for three years, is a member of the SNP opposition on Highland Council ruled by a Labour/Liberal Democrat/Independent coalition.

Her three fellow Nairn councillors – all male and all part of the administration – accused her of politicising the civic role by speaking out against the authority on local issues. The post has now been given to independent councillor Laurie Fraser.

Mrs MacDonald said: "I believe as provost you have to stand up for your town, and say what you believe is right and to retain services that are available.

"It's ridiculous them saying I'm too political.

"I've always been non-political in my role as provost, but as a councillor I've tried to stand up for Nairn and I'm really disappointed they have treated me so shabbily."

In a statement Mr Fraser and the other Nairn councillors – independent Sandy Park, a former Nairn provost and the present council convener, and Lib-Dem Graham Marsden – said: "Councillor MacDonald, as a member of the opposition, is finding herself increasingly in conflict with both council policy and her colleagues locally who are members of the administration".

They praised her for her time as provost and thanked her for the way she discharged her duties.

Mr Park added that Mrs MacDonald had spoken out against the administration on its policy of home care during a ward forum meeting.