AN EAST Renfrewshire councillor is facing a standards hearing following allegations about his conduct towards another elected member.

Jim Swift, a Conservative councillor for the Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham ward, is due to be called before the hearing on Friday, November 13.

The Standards Commission for Scotland will decide whether there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

If it is established that Councillor Swift is guilty of breaching the regulations, the Commission will then decide on an appropriate punishment.

The complaint to be considered at the hearing concerns his alleged conduct towards another East Renfrewshire councillor in late February.

The hearing will be held at East Renfrewshire Council’s headquarters at Eastwood Park, in Giffnock.

One of the key principles of the Code is respect. It states: “You must respect all other councillors and all council employees and the role they play, treating them with courtesy at all times.

“Similarly, you must respect members of the public when performing duties as a councillor.”

The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland investigates complaints against elected members.

A spokeswoman for the Ethical Standards Commissioner said: “If the Commissioner concludes that there has been a contravention of the Code, a report on the outcome of the investigation will be sent to the Standards Commission for Scotland, who may decide to hold a hearing.”

Under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000, complaints are treated confidentially, meaning there are no further details of the allegation made against Councillor Swift at this stage.

Possible sanctions include censure, suspension and disqualification.

A councillor whose conduct is being considered by a hearing is “entitled to be heard and to be represented.”

Councillor Swift declined to comment on the matter.

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said the party does not comment while standards investigations are ongoing.