The deputy leader of Glasgow City Council has slammed the Tory group leader of "hypocrisy" after it emerged he used publicly-funded resources to promote party politics during a general election.

It comes shortly after council leader Susan Aitken was accused of taking a taxi on the council’s official account to campaign for the SNP in a by-election and attend a Paul Simon gig at the Hydro.

Tory group leader Thomas Kerr described Ms Aitken's alleged use of taxis as "scandalous" as Glasgow City Council’s official code of conduct outlines that employees should ensure public funds are used as “value for money to the local community”.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken accused of 'scandalous' use of account taxis to see Paul Simon and attend SNP event

Deputy council leader David McDonald has since hit out at Councillor Kerr, reminding him that he filmed and uploaded a video on the Glasgow Conservatives social media pages from his office at the city chambers during the General Election when he stood in Glasgow East.

As the city chambers and councillor offices are public resources, it is expressly forbidden that these are used for party political purposes. 

SNP Councillor David McDonald has condemned the use of the resources as "rank hypocrisy."

Glasgow Times:

He told the Glasgow Times: “Given Thomas Kerr has used taxpayer funds in his failed campaign to become Tory MP for Glasgow East, his attempts to smear others, including the council leader for simply doing her job is total rank hypocrisy.

"Despite being strongly advised against using publicly-funded resources for party politics, Councillor Kerr went ahead anyway. 

“Indeed, when his abuses and flouting of the rules came to light he had to remove his campaign video. Clearly he works by one rule for whoever he smears and another for himself."

Councillor David McDonald had also accused the Tory group leader of taking advantage of public funds in October 2019 as official documents revealed he billed a journey to Fairmount Hotel in St Andrew's. 

It has been confirmed that this journey was made to attend a local COSLA meeting in the East. 

Councillor McDonald added: "It’s time Cllr Kerr’s dog-whistling, blatant hypocrisy and double standards were called out for what they are: the worst gutter politics.

“I’m sure Cllr Kerr can explain why he was prepared to use public money to secure election as an MP so he could pile further Tory hardship, misery and disdain on to the people of Glasgow. 

"It would appear that the people of Shettleston are little more than a stepping stone for his own ambitions to climb the Tory ladder.”

Glasgow Times:

Councillor Kerr has since hit back at the allegations, dubbing them as "nonsense about legitimate expenses".

He said: “Unlike the SNP council leader, I have never used taxpayer's money to fund my visits to election campaign events or any other non-Council business.

"The trip in question was part of attending the COSLA local government meeting as SNP Councillors Allan Casey, Christina Cannon and Ken Andrew also did.

"This story is nothing more than Susan Aitken and her Council cronies trying to distract the public from their dodgy claims and reflects their indignation that my colleagues and I are holding them to account.

"Rather than trying to peddle this nonsense about legitimate expenses, maybe Cllr Aitken could explain to the people of Glasgow why she was using public money to attend SNP campaign events instead.”