A Fife councillor has broken his silence on why he quit the SNP to accuse a “Glenrothes Mafia” of bullying colleagues.
Bill Brown said he resigned the party whip last May because of a “controlling clique” of SNP councillors who would ridicule other members.
He came forward just a day after Kirkcaldy councillor Marie Penman sensationally quit the party, blaming a culture of “aggressive bullying” that was allowed to go unchallenged.
Mr Brown, who sits as an independent in Glenrothes West and Kinglassie ward, also said he was rebuked by a senior colleague for not declaring a disability which restricted his ability to canvass.
He said: “For a number of years the SNP councillors have had a controlling clique. I have heard them referred to as the ‘Glenrothes Mafia’.
“Those not in the clique are talked over at meetings, ridiculed in words and actions and whenever they volunteer to go on groups or committees other members are supported to stop the ‘useless’ members going forward.”
He added the “real nastiness” came when he broke away from the party and was elected area chair for Glenrothes Area Committee as an independent councillor.
“The venom that was spurted out at that meeting was incredible,” he said.
The SNP have been asked for comment.For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Courier or try our digital edition.