Deputy provost of Inverness resigns

The deputy provost of Inverness has unexpectedly resigned from her post, it has emerged.

It follows a public fallout with the provost who is under police investigation for an alleged breach of the peace at a civic function.

Earlier this month, Councillor Glynis Sinclair complained to police that Provost Alex Graham behaved aggressively towards her at a reception in the Town House. It is claimed he challenged her for wearing a ceremonial chain against protocol.

Councillor Sinclair, the SNP representative for Culloden and Ardersier, said she had also made three separate complaints to senior figures within Highland Council about the "bullying behaviour" of Provost Graham, who is also the Lib-Dem councillor for Inverness West. She told The Inverness Courier on Monday she had done nothing wrong and would not step down.

Although Councillor Sinclair could not be contacted yesterday a council spokesman confirmed she had resigned as deputy provost but would continue as a councillor.

The provost declined to comment on his deputy’s resignation, or on her complaints, but said he intended to serve out his term of office as provost.

SNP city leader, Councillor Ian Brown, was also tight-lipped about the resignation. But he expressed disappointment that the matter had spilled into the public domain. "We are treating it as two individuals having a problem," he said.

A spokeswoman for Northern Constabulary confirmed investigations into an alleged breach of the peace were still on-going.

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