A FORMER SNP councillor who was accused of racism breached the code of conduct, it has been ruled.
Kairin van Sweeden previously apologised for her comments made during an Aberdeen City Council meeting last October, where she described Labour councillor Deena Tissera as a “New Scot”.
Councillor Tissera, who was born in Sri Lanka and holds full British citizenship, wrote to then-first minister Humza Yousaf urging him to suspend Van Sweeden and “stand together against racism”.
However, the SNP confirmed Van Sweeden “stepped back” from her SNP membership and referred herself to the Standards Commission.
Van Sweeden later apologised for the “clumsy language”, which Yousaf described as "unacceptable".
In conclusion of the investigation, the Ethical Standards Commissioner said that in the context Van Sweeden used the term "New Scot" meant it had the effect of being derogatory or disparaging, while usually it may not be a negative, disrespectful or racist term.
The commissioner's report has now been referred to the Standards Commission for Scotland.
Van Sweeden currently sits as an independent councillor representing Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen.
