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The tycoon, the secret meeting and the battle for the soul of Aberdeen city

The battle over the future of Aberdeen’s city centre has taken another twist after it emerged the main business players pushing to build a civic square at the heart of the town summoned council leaders to a private meeting last month, to allegedly secure a “decisive outcome in their favour”.

Campaigners have labelled the March 23 meeting between oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood, Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF) and the council leadership “a complete breakdown of democracy”.