Moray councillor refers herself to Ethical Standards Commission over ‘disrespectful’ remarks to campaigners and colleagues in online meeting gaffe
A councillor has called in investigators and resigned from the administration over “disrespectful” comments she made about colleagues and local campaigners that were accidentally livestreamed on the council website.
During what she thought was a private conversation, Councillor Tracy Colyer (Conservative, Keith and Cullen) said that she thought “for f***s sake” when a colleague spoke during meetings, and said members of the Save Our Surgeries campaign group should “get a life”.
Cllr Colyer, who made the comments after chairing a Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB) meeting last week, promptly resigned from the committee and offered an “unreserved” apology.
However, a statement on behalf of the Conservative group sent to The Northern Scot has confirmed that Cllr Colyer has referred herself to the Ethical Standards Commission.
The statement, from Council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Conservative, Forres), also revealed that the Keith councillor has also resigned from the administration group until the investigation is concluded.
It is understood that Cllr Colyer will now sit as a non-aligned Conservative.
The ex-chair of the MIJB has also resigned from the NHS Grampian Board.
In the group statement, Cllr Robertson said: “Following on from the incident on September 26, 2024 at the Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB) where a private conversation was accidentally publicly broadcast, Cllr Colyer has self-referred herself to the Ethical Standards Commission to enable them to objectively investigate the matter.
“In addition, Cllr Colyer has agreed to remove herself from the Administration Group pending the outcomes of the Standards Commission investigation.
“Cllr Colyer has apologised unreservedly for any offence her actions may have caused.
“She also has removed herself as chair and member of the MIJB and resigned as a non-executive Member of NHS Grampian Board with immediate effect.
“Cllr Colyer thanks all of those who have been supportive over the past day and has requested that she is now given space time to await the outcome of the Commission’s investigation.
“The Conservative Group supports and respects Cllr Colyer’s decision to step away from MIJB, NHS Grampian and the Council’s Administration Group.”
