Fife Council has launched an investigation after claims one of its employees was seen urinating against Pittenweem Church.
The inappropriate conduct is alleged to have occurred while council staff were cutting the grass in the graveyard on Marygate on Wednesday.
A local resident, who asked not to be named, said he and his five-year-old daughter watched from their window as the worker urinated against the side of the main church building.
He described the alleged actions as “wholly inappropriate”.
He said: “Council workers were there cutting the grass around the graves and we were initially concerned because the man on the mower was hitting each of the gravestones as he went along.
“A short time later both my daughter and I came back to the window of our upper flat that overlooks the churchyard to watch as the workers continued.
“Moments later we witnessed a council employee who was there assisting his colleague mowing the grass drop his pants and proceed to urinate against the church building.
‘I couldn’t believe what I was watching’
“I couldn’t believe what I was watching.”
“It’s wholly inappropriate behaviour in any public setting let alone a place of worship.
“Nobody should have to be confronted with such disrespectful behaviour, especially a five-year-old child looking out of the window of her own home.”
Urinating in public is a criminal offence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
Anyone caught in the act can be given a £50 fixed penalty notice, though the maximum fine is £500.
Councillor calls for immediate investigation
Pittenweem Liberal Democrat councillor, Sean Dillon, told The Courier that he was “deeply concerned ” at the alleged behaviour.
He has called on the local authority to carry out an immediate investigation into the allegations.
He said: “This behaviour is unacceptable by anyone representing the council, especially those who are supposed to be maintaining this solemn space.
“I would have hoped that our council would ensure the highest standards were upheld in order to respect people’s final resting places.
“Pittenweem is a small village and many residents have loved ones who were laid to rest in the churchyard.
“Therefore, it is understandable that they want steps to be taken to hold these men to account.
“I trust that council officers will take actions to ensure this is the case and that residents in the East Neuk, and indeed, the whole of Fife, can have confidence that their loved one’s graves are well looked after.”
Council probe
Following the complaint, Fife Council has now confirmed it will launch an investigation into the incident.
Liz Murphy, bereavement services manager said: “The council is taking this complaint very seriously.
“This would be inappropriate behaviour for any employee.
“We’ll investigate and take appropriate action and apologise for any offense caused.”
