THE leader of Edinburgh City Council has formally apologised after accusing an opponent of using his position for financial gain.
Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey said sorry to councillor John McLellan in the main chamber before the full council saying he was wrong and his remarks had been "unduly personal".
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SNP councillor Mr McVey had said Conservative Mr McLellan was "incredibly conflicted" in proposing a motion about Russian news agency Sputnik when he was "in receipt of payment for articles from other news agencies".
Above: Adam McVey apologised
Mr McLellan's motion included asking the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce to terminate its membership agreement with Sputnik, the Russian news agency and Kremlin propaganda mouthpiece.
He said: "At the last council meeting I contributed to a motion by councillor McLellan and I accept my remarks were unduly personal as well as not as respectful as they should have been.
Read more: Russian propaganda outlet expelled from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce
"I was wrong to imply councillor McLellan was using his position for personal gain and I retract my contribution in its entirety.
"As leader of the council I accept that should be held to higher standards."
Above: Councillor John McLellan
Mr McLellan, a former newspaper editor, responded: "I wish to thank the council leader for fully retracting what he said at the previous meeting and I did accept his apology and his apology by email and I’m happy to accept his apology today in the spirit in which I believe it is fully intended."
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