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Moray councillor apologises for ‘bunch of w*****s’ comment as Leader ‘considers matter closed’





A councillor with nearly 30 years of experience has apologised over an outburst prompted by losing a vote.

Councillor John Divers (Elgin South, Labour) said “bunch of w*****s” after colleagues voted to withhold backing for a business group in a coming ballot.

Labour Councillor John Divers (Elgin City South) apologised for the comment...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Labour Councillor John Divers (Elgin City South) apologised for the comment...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

In response, Councillor Marc Macrae (Fochabers Lhanbryde, Conservative) asked Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative), the Council Leader, to get Cllr Divers to explain his use of the phrase.

Cllr Robertson stated that “further discussions” would take place at the end of the meeting.

A spokesperson for Moray Council confirmed that Cllr Divers apologised for his comment at the end of the closed-doors section of the council meeting.

She added that Cllr Macrae had “acknowledged” the apology, while Cllr Robertson “considers the matter closed”.

“The matter was dealt with at the end of the confidential session when Cllr Divers apologised for his comments, which Cllr Macrae acknowledged,” the council spokesperson said.

“The Council Leader considers the matter closed. Should members wish to raise the issue further they have processes to do this.”

First elected in 1997, Cllr Divers has served as Moray Council’s representative on the board of Elgin BID (Business Improvement District) for more than a decade.

In the vote, 16 councillors agreed that Moray Council should abstain in a coming vote on whether Elgin BID (Business Improvement District) should represent the town’s businesses for another five years.

The decision went against the recommendation of council officers, that members should agree to back the business group.

Just three councillors agreed to back the original plans, while two abstained.


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