An Edinburgh councillor who was called "Miss Marple" by the depute leader at a council meeting last year has hit back at the remarks.
Alison Dickie, who recently stepped down from the SNP group, has assisted over 25 council staff in making complaints about wrongdoing, abuse and misconduct within Edinburgh City Council.
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She said comments made by depute council leader, Labour's Cammy Day, made her 'angry on behalf of those too scared to come forward with allegations in case they are not believed'.
Mr Day referenced the amateur detective from the popular 1980s TV show during a meeting in September, as members were discussing the case of John Travers, who Cllr Dickie supported in raising the alarm about the alleged mis-spending of £400,000 of public funds.
He remarked that the Conservatives’ “own Inspector Morse from the right-wing branch and the SNP's own Miss Marple” had conducted investigations.
Cllr Dickie finally offered him a response at a full council meeting on Thursday (February 10) as members debated how to improve workplace culture and act on recommendations set out in Susanne Tanner QC's independent review.
She said: "I must begin with an apology, I have not worn my hat for today's proceedings or indeed my tweed suit and my sensible shoes - clothes, Lord Provost, that befit this so-called elderly spinster-cum-amateur detective.
"Someone who dares to ask too many questions about vital issues, there has been much publicity since the Miss Marple label was issued in jest, and although we've been told no-one was named, I think everyone and their mother assumed it was me - including me.
"So I think it's time for this woman to speak for herself in relation to the report that lies before us. I don't really care what's said about me, I've heard worse behaviour in a classroom. But did it make me feel a tad intimidated? Given the circumstances, yes. More so, did it make me angry? On behalf of the survivors who are scared to come forward in case they are not believed, without a doubt.
"If we are to support the survivors out there and change our culture where people are intimidated and discredited for raising concerns there can be no room for defensive jokes, but there should always be room for questions.
"I have shared before that I welcomed the recommendations in the Tanner reports, from the importance of external investigations rather than internal networks that collude and conclude.
"After reading the report, however I'm still left asking: what of the yet unresolved whistle-blowing cases and those who have lost trust in our systems? Falling between the cracks of the inquiry's limit and the lack of a police investigation due to the serial abuser's death. Without provision for this, how can we be fully assured that we have identified all survivors and the system's processes and potentially others that allowed any abuse to continue.
"Having helped to support 25 plus whistle-blowers all sharing different experiences, I need to vote in a way that best supports the change and the progress that they think they need and today I am free to do so."
"Miss Marple, to finish, had a famous quote: 'The truth, however ugly in itself is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it.'
"It may be on hearing all the evidence that full assurance is provided, but no notion of reputationial risk, vote or forthcoming election should ever become a barrier for us speaking and being certain of the actual truth, however ugly it potentially could be."
Conservative Councillor Nick Cook questioned the depute leader if he has issued an apology since making the comments last year, and if he accepted that they could have contributed towards an "intimidating environment".
Cllr Day responded that "no member was named".
He added: "Councillor Cook should look a little closer to home in his own group about intimidating environments with members currently reported to Standards Commission."
