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A CONSERVATIVE councillor who was a victim in a colleague’s hate campaign has revealed he plans to step down in May.
Alistair Mackay, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, used the final Renfrewshire Council meeting of 2021 to confirm he will not stand for election again.
He also hit out at his fellow councillors for not dealing with the controversial “rantings” of Paul Mack sooner.
Mr Mack had been a councillor for decades before being banned earlier this year for behaviour which included sending a series of alarming emails to or about Mr Mackay, Labour group leader Eddie Devine and his daughter Karen Devine-Kennedy.
A by-election was called to replace Mr Mack but this was scrapped after the council discovered he was appealing his disqualification in the Court of Session, despite already having had an appeal to the Standards Commission thrown out.
Mr Mack had already served similar bans in 2016 and 2017.
During a debate about the cost of the by-election, which has so far come to at least £16,000, Councillor Jim Sharkey applauded his party colleague Councillor Devine for standing up to Mr Mack and “doing the whole of Renfrewshire a favour.”
But Councillor Mackay said more should have been done about the independent member’s behaviour a long time ago.
He added: “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 also slammed 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.”
The council is waiting on another invoice from Royal Mail for the return of postal votes for the by-election, which could increase costs “significantly.”
