A FORMER SNP councillor who was accused of racism and found to have breached the code of conduct has been cleared.
Kairin van Sweeden was previously found to have breached the code of conduct by the Ethical Standards Commissioner with comments made during an Aberdeen City Council meeting last October, where she described Labour councillor Deena Tissera as a “New Scot”.
The commissioner's report had been referred to the Standards Commission for Scotland, who today cleared of the breach.
Dr Lezley Stewart, Standards Commission member and chair of the hearing panel, said: “The panel noted that councillor van Sweeden accepted the remark was clumsily worded, and was satisfied from the evidence led by her that she did not intend it to be offensive or discriminatory.
"The panel recognised, however, that the comment had caused offence to the complainer.”
Tissera, who was born in Sri Lanka and holds full British citizenship, wrote to then-first minister Humza Yousaf urging him to suspend van Sweeden and “stand together against racism”.
Van Sweeden later apologised for the “clumsy language”, which Yousaf described as "unacceptable".
In reaching its view that van Sweeden did not intend her remark to be offensive or discriminatory, the panel noted she was responding to a point made by Tissera, rather than choosing to target her out of the blue, and had been shocked and surprised by the reaction in the council chamber.
Van Sweeden had apologised publicly at the meeting, immediately after concerns about her use of the term "New Scot" were raised.
The panel noted that this shock and surprise likely stemmed from van Sweeden’s understanding and previous use of the term in a solely positive capacity.
Dr Stewart added: “The panel recognised the sensitivities of this case and the strong feelings that have been expressed by those involved.
"The Standards Commission wishes to emphasise that racism and discrimination are abhorrent, have no place in politics and should not be tolerated. The Standards Commission, and indeed the public, expect politicians, including local councillors, to lead by example and be respectful at all times.
"This includes refraining from using language, or terminology, that could be perceived as being offensive.
"The panel noted that a failure to do so only serves to lower standards of public discourse and encourage the exchange of abuse, rather than reasoned and respectful debate."
Van Sweeden currently sits as an independent councillor representing Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen.
