Speaking after the Glasgow SNP Councillor Group left today’s Full Council meeting in protest at the rejection by the Lord Provost of a competent motion on serious crime, Leader of the Opposition Councillor James Dornan said: “Today is another black day in the history of democracy in Glasgow. For another motion on serious crime, tabled by Councillor Billy McAllister, to be rejected as not competent or relevant is simply incredible, particularly for those most affected by these criminals. This lack of concern by the Labour Party does them no good whatsoever and makes a mockery of their claims to be fighting crime. When they won’t even talk about it who will take seriously their claims to fight it?

"Today’s agenda is not worth the paper it is printed on.  Labour in Glasgow are running away from serious crime in the city and destroying democracy in the process”.

Councillor Billy McAllister said: "I have consistently tried to raise the issue of serious crime in the Council and have been thwarted at every turn. These criminals are making a fortune on the backs of ordinary decent citizens and the Labour Party should be fighting alongside us to put an end to their activities not putting barriers in our way.

"I will continue to fight criminality both in my role as local councillor and as a member of my community. Labour has turned a blind eye to serious criminals for far too long, but they will not get away with trying to silence those that wish to fight these evil criminals.

Notes:

The Lord Provost ruled that a motion at today’s meeting, proposed by Councillor Billy McAllister, is not competent or relevant. At Full Council (29 October 2009) the Lord Provost, after appeals from the floor of the house, refused to accept the motion. As a result, the entire SNP Group left the meeting in protest. The text of the motion as rejected is as follows:

“Council affirms its commitment to tackling serious and organised crime in partnership with Strathclyde Police and other organisations.

Council notes that a triple shooting and murder was carried out at Applerow Motors, 730 Balmore Road, during working hours.  A development of luxury flats next to the MOT station, both of which are owned and/or affiliated with the Lyons family, was burned down on two separate occasions, the most recent being in February of this year.  The Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police wrote to the Licensing Committee to say that the owner of the MOT station was involved in serious crime including the trafficking and supply of Class A drugs.

Council notes that whilst the Licensing Committee has as a result refused the second hand car dealership licence at the site, the UK Secretary of State for Transport has so far declined to exercise his powers to revoke the MOT authorised examiner licence.

Council resolves to formally request that the UK Secretary of State for Transport exercise his powers to revoke the MOT authorised examiner licence from David Lyons and the premises of Applerow Motors, Lambhill."

The decision to reject the motion, which had been checked by senior officials within the Council to ensure the motion was competent, was relayed to Councillor McAllister. Councillor McAllister wrote to the Lord Provost seeking clarification.  The text of the response is attached here.