Meeting 'punch-up'

Published 8 Apr 2010 10:05

By Ewan McInnes

TWO Barrhead community councillors allegedly came to blows at a heated meeting on Thursday.

It is reported that the exchange spilled into the foyer of the East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) offices, on Main Street, Barrhead, minutes after it had finished.

Like scenes from the popular BBC programme Still Game, pensioners Andrew Barnes and Isaac Mackay are alleged to have come to blows when Mr Barnes claimed ERC is discriminating against the area he represents - Cross Stobbs.

Mr Barnes and Mr Mackay were arguing over ERC services in Barrhead when the alleged assault took place.

A police spokeswoman said that yesterday officers picked up CCTV footage from the council offices for analysis.

ERC councillor, Douglas Yates, attended the monthly meeting and although he missed the alleged altercation between the two members, he said he was disappointed to hear about the incident.

Councillor Yates was also keen to point out that the outcome of Thursday's meeting was a rare occurrence.

He said: "Two community councillors had a difference of opinion and it is believed to have carried on after the meeting, which degenerated into something worse.

"I didn't see it as my back was turned and I was talking to another community councillor.

"I went back in and this had [allegedly] taken place.

"It was a new experience for me because we do not usually have this type of behaviour.

"We can have heated discussion at the meetings, but fortunately it doesn't usually go beyond that.

"It is certainly not to the credit of any of the individuals involved.

"Although there can be robust discussions at Barrhead Community Council [BCC] meetings, my own personal opinion is that it is disappointing that someone can lose control at a community council meeting because it diminishes the BCC as a whole and affects everyone.

"It brings the whole BCC into disrepute in front of the whole town.

"[One of the] individuals [allegedly] involved will be disappointed because he has let himself down.

"I know him and he is a nice man but on this occasion he appears to have stepped over the mark."

Tommy Reilly, chairman of the BCC, said he could not comment on the altercation because he had already left the council's offices before the incident.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that an altercation had taken place at Barrhead's council offices on Thursday night and they were now analysing CCTV footage of the incident.

She added: "Police attended the report of a disturbance at East Renfrewshire Council, where there was an allegation of an assault on April 1.

"Enquiries continue into this complaint."

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This article appeared in Barrhead News 08 Apr 10

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