A top Lockerbie lawyer has been drafted in to investigate Glasgow Council’s fat cat exit payment scandal. Douglas Ross KC will carry out a probe amid growing anger over six figure golden goodbyes at a time of deep cuts to public services.
As revealed by the Record, the council’s 2023/24 accounts show two senior staff were given massive early retirement packages.
Annemarie O’Donnell, the former council chief executive who retired this year, received a £357,845 “in year” contribution to her pension. Elaine Galletly, former Director of Legal and Administration, received a £223,065 pension contribution and £59,971 for “compensation for loss of office”.
It is understood four other senior staff members also benefited from deals that were kept from SNP council leader Susan Aitken. An internal probe was launched by the council and the matter has now been passed over to external lawyers.
A council spokesman said: “The investigation is being carried out by Brodies LLC. They will be seeking an opinion from Douglas Ross KC.”
The KC has vast experience and was instructed as Crown Counsel in the second and third Lockerbie appeals.
He has also appeared at numerous Fatal Accident Inquiries and represented the Scottish Government at the probe into the deadly fire at Rosepark Care Home. He is currently instructed by an NHS quango in the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry set up to investigate the safety of new hospitals in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Ross also appeared with the Lord Advocate as part of the challenge by Scottish Ministers against the Tory Government’s decision to block a Bill on gender recognition reform.
George Redmond, Labour’s leader on the council, has led the way in demanding answers on the exit payments. He said of the Ross hire: “The people of Glasgow need to know the truth about this scandal and openness and transparency is a must.
“It’s only right that what’s happened here is investigated properly. I welcome this move, but it does worry me that in the current financial climate, Glasgow council need to find the money for this KC. If it’s found out that there has been misappropriation, those responsible and benefiting should bear the costs, rather than the hard-working people of Glasgow.”
Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: “Glasgow council tax payers will hope that this appointment will lead to speedy answers about these payments. Savage SNP cuts have meant the city’s residents pay more but get less in return. While services have been axed or severely slashed, the SNP-led council has fostered a culture that looks out for their interests, rather than delivering value for hard-pressed taxpayers.”
The golden goodbyes were pushed through after years of cuts to services and job losses at the council. Signature buildings such as the city chambers were sold off to other parts of the local authority to make savings.
It was also reported earlier this year that a £107m funding gap would have to be closed over three years. One of the ways the council is trying to cut costs is getting rid of 450 teacher posts in the city.
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