Published: Thursday, 28th January, 2010 10:15am

Don't quote me - I'm gagged!

by Fiona Howard

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'Capsized duck' comment lands Robb in deep water

Controversial Helensburgh councillor James Robb has been gagged by his party.The Helensburgh central Councillor is no longer allowed to speak to the press on any subject and instead has to refer all enquiries to fellow councillor Ron Simon who is the Argyll and Bute Council SNP Group's official press spokesman.

It is believed that the gagging move has come in the wake of Councillor Robb's comments just before Christmas when he suggested that the council was like "a capsized duck in a pond".

At the same time, he launched a blistering attack on the Independent group who are in a coalition administration with the SNP and suggested that the council had taken a gamble in appointing Sally Loudon as "an inexperienced chief executive".

However, Councillor Robb's outburst in November, was, insiders suggest, "just the final straw".

Councillor Robb's attack reportedly sent shock waves through the SNP group who were apparently "livid".

The nine other SNP members have been unamused by the outspoken councillor for some time and are also concerned that he does not attend enough council meetings.

Councillor Robb last attended a full council meeting in May when he was stripped of his chairmanship of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, his place on the Executive and lost his role as council spokesman on 21st Century Government.

The SNP group is believed to have called a number of formal meetings to tackle Councillor Robb over his behaviour but were forced to reintroduce a "whip" after he failed to attend.

And then came the "capsized duck" incident.

Now Councillor Robb is banned from speaking to the press for three months and has, instead, to refer all queries to Councillor Simon.

Councillor Simon said this week: "There is no ban in force preventing any of our Council group communicating with the press, in fact, the SNP actively encourages good relationships with the media as a vital tool in keeping constituents up to date with our work.

"We also value the role of the media, particularly the local press in keeping us challenged and up to date on issues.

With regard to your specific questions regarding Councillor Robb - At a disciplinary hearing on December 8 Councillor Robb was found to be in breach of SNP group standing orders as a result of which a three month press embargo was imposed.

"A process was put in place whereby Councillor Robb could refer press enquires to myself as press officer, to ensure that this vital link was not lost.

"Attendance details for all councillors are published on the council website. The council SNP group also hold regular meetings where matters of policy are discussed. Attendances at these meetings are almost essential to ensure that local area issues are brought to the fore.

"These meetings are programmed in advance to fit in with the Councils corporate calendar but it is recognised that Councillors have many competing priorities with their administration responsibilities or local commitments, which means that attendance is not always possible.

"The group is actively looking at a range of ways of addressing this including video conferencing."

* Councillor Robb had been expected to be selected as the Parliamentary Candidate for the SNP in Inverclyde but job has gone to Innes Nelson.