Disgraced councillor to pay back £4,000 in fees for failed ban appeal bids

A disgraced councillor will have to pay back more than £4,000 in fees for his failed appeals to have his 16-month ban overturned, the Express can reveal.

Former Paisley southeast councillor Paul Mack has been ordered to front up the cash for the two hearings held by the Standards Commission for Scotland.

An email seen by the Express revealed the total cost of both failed meetings was £4,242.07.

The first hearing at Renfrewshire House cost £2,402.47, while the second online meeting was £1,839.60.

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Mack had been disqualified as an elected member after he waged an “unrelenting” harassment campaign against two fellow councillors.

He launched his first appeal in May before lodging another in September, with both being thrown out and the decisions being upheld.

A scathing verdict during his second bid saw Sheriff Principal David Murray rule that Mack would have to cover the cost of the fees for the appeals.

Giving his verdict he said: “There was no unreasonableness in the finding of [the panel] that [Mack] should be disqualified.

“I also find there to be force in the submission that given the period for which [Mack] has served as a councillor, his apparent disdain of the code, his lack of detachment from the process, and his lack of apology for his actions, were all relevant factors.”

“The sentence cannot be said to be excessive, unfair, unreasonable or disproportionate.”

Now, Paul Mack has sinced lodged a third appeal against his ban Scotland’s highest civil tribunal, the Court of Session.

His latest move resulted in an “unprecedented” blunder for Renfrewshire Council, which was unaware Mack had any other avenues of appeal available.

The scrapping of the by-election caused wide-spread political fury, and the Express previously revealed it cost the council at least £16,000.

The council is still waiting on another invoice from Royal Mail for the return of postal votes for the by-election which councillors have suggested could increase costs “significantly”.

Mack was banned as a councillor in 2019 for his campaign of abuse against Renfrewshire Labour leader Eddie Devine and Conservative councillor Alistair MacKay.

It emerged that Devine and his daughter had been offered panic alarms by police in response to messages from Mack – including one calling Devine a racist.

It was also revealed Mackay contacted cops over an email he believed incited violence against him.

The Johnstone South and Elderslie councillor announced last week he will step down in May following the harassment campaign from Mack.

Mr Mackay said more should have been done about the independent councillor’s demeanour a long time ago.

He told the chamber: “It’s nice to hear some support for the victim of Paul Mack and it’s perhaps the first time I’ve ever heard any council member stand up and offer some support to Councillor Devine.

“We probably wouldn’t be in this position had control been exercised over the rantings of Paul Mack over the years.

“I’m afraid it’s just a reflection on the sad behaviour of some members of the council chamber at meetings.

“I have to say I won’t miss some of you when I finish in May.”

Councillor Devine, who was given a panic alarm by police at the height of the campaign, also slammed some of his colleagues for humouring Mr Mack.

He added: “My family has had to call in the police and the wardens and have cameras fitted around their houses.

“Is there anywhere else he can go after this? Because if there’s another place to go he’ll go there. If this goes on and on, what will this mean at the next election?

“This person will not give up and it’s a stain on this council that people thought it was funny when he made his jokes. He’s not a funny character.”

The Express has contacted Paul Mack for comment.

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