'No resignation offer' at council

Local reports suggested Mr Paterson had offered to resign

Aberdeen City Council's chief executive did not offer to resign amid recent critical scrutiny of the council's finances, it has been claimed.

Local reports suggested Douglas Paterson had offered to stand down from his position.

Council leader Kate Dean said she was not prepared to divulge the details of private conversations.

However, she told BBC Scotland that she could confirm that Mr Paterson did not offer to resign.

The news came after Aberdeen City Council was criticised in a report into the sale of some of its most valuable property assets.

An Audit Scotland report highlighted deals going through for millions of pounds below market value.

The council has already faced criticism for seeking £27m of budget cuts, and the Accounts Commission is due to conduct a public hearing into its affairs in May.