Councillor suspended over code of conduct breach

A Highland councillor has been suspended for two months after breaching the councillors' code of conduct.

The Standards Commission found that Liberal Democrat Michael Baird was "disrespectful" towards the chair and committee of a local community group over plans to transform Carbisdale Castle near Ardgay.

Mr Baird, who represents the North, West and Central Sutherland ward, told the group he would not support future funding for the village hall unless members backed a land purchase.

He has accepted he breached the code and has apologised "unequivocally", accepting that his correspondence may have been interpreted as "discourteous".

Culrain Hall committee were approached by Forestry and Land Scotland on a land purchase by a local constituent, according to the Standards Commission.

It is understood that it related to the redevelopment of Carbisdale Castle, which is owned by barrister Samantha Kane.

Mr Baird became involved when he sent the committee's chairperson an email stating that he would not support future funding for their village hall if they refused to back the land purchase.

Ward councillors can advise council officers on how local budgets should be spent.

The Standards Commission, which oversees standards in public life, found the Sutherland councillor "effectively threatened to use his position and influence" to pressure the group.

The commission also said Mr Baird had made repeated calls to the committee chair and "several unannounced visits" to their home.

Responding to the result of the standards hearing, Mr Baird apologised and said it had been "a stressful time".

He said he was pleased the panel acknowledged that his email correspondence was "motivated by the good of the community, and the creation of jobs that the project at Carbisdale Castle will bring".

Mr Baird expressed his desire for members of the community to enjoy a "peaceful coexistence".

Samantha Kane said the purchase of land was necessary for the castle to remain an "iconic asset for Sutherland and the Highlands as a whole."

"While I admire Michael's passion, I wasn't aware that he had written a discourteous email; and I'm pleased that he apologised and that this is the extent of the finding," she added.

"I understand that he apologised sincerely, and I'm sure that it was a solitary incident that he will not repeat."

Additional reporting by Local Democracy Reporting Service reporter Will Angus