The great 18th century Irish-born statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke once said: "A representative owes not just his industry but his judgment." Gordon Matheson is the most powerful figure in Scottish local government.
The great 18th century Irish-born statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke once said: \"A representative owes not just his industry but his judgment.\" Gordon Matheson is the most powerful figure in Scottish local government.
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After Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of Glasgow City Council, with its annual budget of £1.4 billion, is the third most important politician in the country.
Nobody can question his industry. Each week he spends many hours in his grand mahogany-panelled office in the Victorian splendour of the City Chambers and there is always plenty of work waiting in his in-tray. Recently he was co-opted on to the Labour Party's shadow team at the Scottish Parliament. But there must be serious questions about his judgment, following the revelation that in mid-December he was apprehended by police and reported to the procurator fiscal over an alleged act of indecency with another man in a parked car in the south side of Glasgow. No further action was taken because it was decided there was insufficient evidence a crime had been committed. However, this is not the sort of behaviour voters are entitled to expect from their council leader and the man charged with making a success of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
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Challenge faced by council leader to restore reputation
The great 18th century Irish-born statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke once said: "A representative owes not just his industry but his judgment." Gordon Matheson is the most powerful figure in Scottish local government.
After Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of Glasgow City Council, with its annual budget of £1.4 billion, is the third most important politician in the country.
Nobody can question his industry. Each week he spends many hours in his grand mahogany-panelled office in the Victorian splendour of the City Chambers and there is always plenty of work waiting in his in-tray. Recently he was co-opted on to the Labour Party's shadow team at the Scottish Parliament. But there must be serious questions about his judgment, following the revelation that in mid-December he was apprehended by police and reported to the procurator fiscal over an alleged act of indecency with another man in a parked car in the south side of Glasgow. No further action was taken because it was decided there was insufficient evidence a crime had been committed. However, this is not the sort of behaviour voters are entitled to expect from their council leader and the man charged with making a success of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
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We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
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