Councillor alleges 'witch hunt'

Martin Ford claims he is being "punished" for his vote

The Lib Dem councillor who rejected Donald Trump's £1bn golf application, is claiming his party is carrying out a "witch hunt" against him.

Martin Ford was sacked as chairman of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services committee last year.

Now he has discovered there are plans to remove him as joint chair of City and Shire Strategic planning group and appoint a replacement.

The Lib Dems said the reason was the two posts were traditionally linked.

However, Mr Ford said that the decision was made at a party meeting last week. He was not invited and did not know that his position was on the agenda.

'Behind the scenes'

He accused fellow councillors of "behind the scenes manoeuvring" characteristic of a witch hunt.

Mr Ford claimed the aim was to punish him for his casting vote against Mr Trump's plans for a golf course at Menie Estate.

He said: "Ultimately, it has to be traced back to that. I have no doubt that things would not be at all the same if it hadn't been for this event.

"That was a quasi-judicial decision, not a party political matter. Councillors are not answerable to their party for how they vote on a quasi-judicial matter.

"It is particularly regrettable that we've had this over something that is not, should not, cannot be a party political matter."

Businessman Donald Trump wants to create a £1bn golf course

However, Lib Dem councillor Peter Argyle, who will now replace Martin Ford on both committees, denied the allegations.

He claimed it was "custom and practice" for the chair of the Aberdeenshire Infrastructure Services Committee to hold the role as joint chair of the City and Shire Strategic planning group.

Aberdeenshire Council wants to "move forward" from the Donald Trump decision", he added.

Councillors gave overwhelming support to the Trump plans, though the decision now rests with the Scottish Government.

Ministers called in the golf resort application as it said it was of national significance and should therefore not be decided by a local council.

Holyrood's local government committee is investigating the handling of the plans.