A COUNCILLOR censured for calling a rival a Nazi, comparing another to a serial killer and opposing gay rights is again under investigation for allegedly saying SNP rivals are “just like the Stasi”.
Ex-Falkirk provost Dennis Goldie is subject to an investigation by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (CESPLS) for comments allegedly made during an official meeting.
The long-serving Labour councillor is said to have hit out against the local authority’s minority SNP group during a meeting of the council’s executive committee, objecting to a request for a break to allow the committee’s single SNP member, Councillor David Alexander, to confer with colleagues on the public benches about how to vote on a budget matter.
Referring to the repressive East German intelligence and secret police agency, Goldie is alleged to have said: “They are just like the Stasi.”
The incident was reported to the CESPLS, which investigates complaints about the conduct of elected politicians and members of other public bodies, with meetings with Alexander and another witness set for next week.
Yesterday a spokesperson confirmed a complaint has been received but declined to comment until inquiries conclude.
Alexander, who did not report the matter, also declined to comment and Goldie did not return calls or emails.
Goldie, whose brother Gerry also sits on the council, represents the Falkirk West ward and is said to have made the comment in February.
However, no footage or transcript of the meeting exists because the local authority does not tape the committee meetings, only noting the decisions and outcomes in the minutes.
Goldie, once the favourite to succeed Dennis Canavan as Falkirk West MSP, was censured in 2005 after likening SNP Councillor Tom Coleman, then-education convenor, to a serial killer, saying: “He has done to the education service in this area what Dr Harold Shipman has done for patient care.”
He was also involved in controversy in 2002 after reportedly branding another council member a Nazi, and again in 2007 for calling others a “liar” and a “disgrace”.
In 2000 he spoke out against plans to repeal section 28, which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools.
Before this, he was criticised in 1995 when it emerged that he had built up a rental property portfolio of five former council houses despite party opposition to Tory right-to-buy rules.
At the time of the Shipman jibe, Goldie was said to have shown “a complete lack of respect” and come close to suspension.
Apologising, he said: “We should be able to make political points without upsetting anyone.”
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