POLICE have issued a formal warning to a senior Labour councillor in Glasgow who allegedly challenged a colleague to a fight.
George Redmond, who also chairs Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, received the slap on the wrist following a hotel fracas with Conservative councillor David Meikle.
The bad blood between the pair can be traced to an ill-tempered debate in the city chambers earlier this year on the UK government's so-called bedroom tax.
Meikle, the city's only Tory councillor, defended the benefit reduction, while Redmond criticised the policy.
In making his case, Redmond told Meikle that "your family will be affected by this, your extended family will be affected by this", a comment that irritated the Conservative member.
Days later, Meikle bumped into Redmond in the Ivory Hotel in Glasgow's Queen's Park area, and sparks flew.
Meikle said of the incident: "Initially he wanted to apologise for his remarks at the council meeting – but did so in a patronising way, trying to touch my head.
"Having made clear my view that I did not accept it [the apology], Redmond became very aggressive – he challenged me to a fight outside, he gesticulated towards me, used offensive language [and] called me a 'prick'. He said, right in my face, using a twisting hand motion, he would 'smash me'."
By contrast, Redmond had dismissed the incident as a "storm in a teacup" and denied making threats.
Meikle said: "I note the police action taken and it is for others to judge the action taken against Councillor Redmond."
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "A man has received a formal adult warning in relation to this incident."
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