A LABOUR councillor is under investigation by the standards watchdog after the housing association of which she was a board member awarded contracts to her son, The National can reveal.
The Ethical Standards Commission has opened up an investigation into Glasgow councillor Elaine McDougall after she was found to have broken rules when her son Gary’s firm was given work by Milnbank Housing Association.
McDougall quit the board after the Scottish Housing Regulator launched an investigation into her conduct in 2020.
The regulator found there was “no evidence” she had declared an interest when her son Gary McDougall’s tiling firm Dennistoun Ceramics were given contracts by the housing association.
A report previously shared with the Sunday National showed there was also no proof that the “conflict of interest was managed”.
McDougall has previously insisted she did declare an interest and that she had no role in the award of contracts.
But now the Ethical Standards Commissioner has confirmed it was launching an investigation, five months after it was reported to the body by former SNP councillor David Turner.
In a letter, the ethics watchdog confirmed it was investigating the award of the contracts in 2017.
The Scottish Housing Regulator’s investigation also found that the housing association had subsequently changed its rules to allow businesses run by family members of people involved with the organisation to be awarded contracts.
An SNP source said: “While rumours and accusations of cronyism follow Glasgow Labour like a bad smell, it is only fair that a full investigation should be carried out before anyone passes judgement here.”
McDougall said: “I can confirm that I followed the correct procedures, this included declaring an interest as and when required.
“Glasgow City Council were notified when I retired from my position as the Council nominee.
“I am fully complying with this investigation.”
