A CONSERVATIVE councillor is facing a Standards Commission Inquiry into his behaviour a year after being outed as a notorious Twitter troll.
Angus politician Derek Wann was revealed in 2021 to be behind the Lady Whistledown (AngusFreeofSNP) Twitter account.
The account targeted opposition politicians with abuse and was described as “misogynistic and transphobic” by critics.
The Twitter account, which is named after a character from the TV series Bridgerton, also mocked Dundee's drug death record.
READ MORE: Two Tories unmasked as online trolls quit key Angus Council positions
The Arbroath East and Lunan Ward representative even used the account to anonymously target Douglas Ross's leadership of the party at the Scottish Parliament elections.
A Standards Commission is now set to have a hearing in June, The Courier has revealed – but that's six weeks after Wann hopes to be re-elected in the Aberdeenshire area.
Despite being outed as a troll, attacking the party's leadership and resigning as the council's education convener, the party allowed Wann to stand for re-election.
This prompted critics to accuse the Scottish Tory leader of a "lack of leadership".
READ MORE: Douglas Ross showing 'lack of leadership' by letting Twitter troll stand for re-election
Independent councillor Brian Boyd made the complaint to the ethical standards commissioner, The Courier reported.
With the hearing set for June, Wann could face a range of punishments, including censure or suspension.
A Tory party spokesperson said: "We always abide by rulings of the Standards Commissioner and that will be the case in this instance too."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel