 | 'We have to follow proper procedure and make sure that charges are properly investigated, but we also have to ensure that those facing allegations have the chance to make their case.' Labour's Scottish General Secretary (and number one fan of these pages), Mr Jack McConnell, 29 th October 1997. |  |
The Scottish Labour Party called yesterday for Harry Revie to resign his post of chairman of the property and construction services committee on Renfrewshire Council, which carries an responsibility allowance of £18,000. If Mr Revie does not step down, the council's Labour group will be instructed to vote him out immediately.
Scottish National Party councillors and the SNP candidate in the Paisley South by-election, Ian Blackford, have repeatedly called for Mr Revie's resignation.
Labour's national executive committee also heard that evidence had been found of political and personal advantage gained by a group of individuals in Renfrewshire Labour party.
A report presented to the NEC yesterday also alleges that evidence exists that there was a conspiracy to undermine the party's rules.
Labour will now set in motion yet another inquisition into the conduct of Mr Graham and other Renfrewshire politicians.
The NEC also examined an interim report into Glasgow city councillors, nine of whom were suspended last month.
Seven Glasgow City councillors, including the Lord Provost, Pat Lally, the former group leader Bob Gould, their deputies and a senior convener, are alleged to have breached party rules in the aftermath of the "junkets for votes" inquiry.
Last night Mr Graham said he was confident he would clear his name. The MP for Renfrewshire West spoke out after the NEC decided he could have a case to answer over allegations relating to his conduct towards other party members and on "financial" matters.
A report considered by the NEC at its headquarters in London concluded there were grounds to be concerned about events in Renfrewshire. It has decided on another round of interviews in addition to the questioning of Mr Graham in London two weeks ago.
After the new inquiry, which will give Mr Graham another opportunity to defend himself, the committee may bring charges against him.
Last night the MP, named in the suicide note of Gordon McMaster, the MP for Paisley South, said: "I have not been officially notified of the full details of the NEC's report, but my lawyer has been in contact with the party. From what I have learned from him, I have no difficulty in saying that at the end of the day, I will be in the clear."
Mr Revie and the other suspended Renfrewshire Labour member, Olga Clayton, also face further questioning by the party over their involvement with the failed Ferguslie Community Business, from which £320,000 of public money was unaccounted for. Charges may still be laid against both .
The report to the NEC said investigators had drawn the initial conclusion that there is "a substantial body of evidence" pointing to "a systematic approach to the conduct of certain matters to gain political and personal advantage for some individuals".
It went on: "The evidence that such behaviour was concerted and intended to provide benefit to one group of individuals is compelling."
In a separate case, the meeting accepted a report concluding there is prima facia evidence that seven councillors in Glasgow have brought the party into disrepute.
Party sources confirmed that charges relating to a range of issues are likely to be laid against them within a week or two. But yesterday's NEC meeting was presented only with transcripts of interviews and no charges were recommended.
Those facing charges in Glasgow are: Mr Gould, Mr Lally, Gordon Macdiarmid, the deputy provost, Alec Mosson, James Mutter, Deirdre Gaughan and David Stevenson. The conduct of two more city councillors is still being examined, while three others have been sent letters warning them about their future conduct.
Both cases will be referred to the national constitutional committee. If the charges are proven, the NCC can recommend to the NEC, which will have the final say, sanctions including expulsion or suspension.
The report on Renfrewshire said it was important that the allegations were considered by the NCC. "Whilst there is available serious evidence to suggest a conspiracy to undermine the party's rules, only a panel of the NCC appointed to deal with the matter will be able to weigh the evidence during a process where those concerned can be cross-examined and the credibility of all the allegations fully tested."
After the meeting, a Labour spokesman, Dave Hill, said: "Today's decisions show that the Labour Party means business at both Glasgow and Renfrewshire."
Jack McConnell, general secretary of the Labour Party in Scotland, dismissed suggestions that Labour was dragging its feet over the inquiry. "We have to follow proper procedure and make sure that charges are properly investigated, but we also have to ensure that those facing allegations have the chance to make their case.
"If anybody is found guilty of misconduct ... the action will be firm and strong."
The decision that the Glasgow councillors should face charges was supported by 20 of the 23 NEC members at the meeting. The three dissenting NEC members were Diane Abbott, Dennis Skinner and Ken Livingstone.
After the meeting Mr Livingstone, the MP for Brent East, complained that he had been given insufficient time to examine the details of the report on the allegations. He said: "I'm not prepared to rubber-stamp things which I haven't had a chance to read."
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