A community leader who came under fire for using racially-offensive language has resigned from his post.
Chris Cunningham stepped down as chairman of Inverkeithing Community Council three months after a row over his use of a politically incorrect term.
Some members of the group were outraged at comments he made during an informal meeting for which he later apologised, admitting his words were “offensive” and “inappropriate”.
At a special meeting of the community council in July he was given a warning.
However, he used his resignation letter to attack “bullies” who had “spread nasty lies” and he felt should have apologised.
He also said that in recent years the community council had suffered due to a “small minority who put their personal agenda ahead of that of the whole community”.
He said: “The words and accusations published by these bullies rocked my family to the core, however I am in a very lucky position of having family and friends who have wholly supported me throughout this very stressful and upsetting period.
“I have come to realise that apologies from people who tell lies are worthless and in order to find closure to this matter and to allow ICC to return to its business of serving the community I have decided to take the moral high ground and forgive the bullies for their actions.”
Mr Cunningham, a community councillor for 30 years, said he had intended to give up the role for some time.
He added: “I look forward to supporting the new chairperson in which will hopefully be a new era for ICC where everyone can come together for the greater good of the community which we are privileged to support.”
Interim community council secretary Wayne Morris had publicly criticised Mr Cunningham in The Courier.
He said: “The published minutes of previous meetings show the background to this issue.
“Mr Cunningham is, of course, entitled to his opinion nonetheless. I, for one, hope this whole sorry affair can now be put to rest.
“This is a new chapter for the community council and I believe we are now heading in the right direction.”
Mr Morris was also given a warning for failing to follow community council complaints protocol, however it was later conceded the organisation had had no authority to do so.
Picture by David Wardle