A Scottish Council Attributes Mistaken Party Affiliation to a Technical Glitch
A Scottish council has identified a “software bug” as the culprit behind a significant error on its website, which incorrectly listed senior SNP councillor Alexander McLellan as a member of Reform UK.
On Sunday, Aberdeen City Council experienced a public relations debacle as the misrepresentation sparked rampant speculation across social media platforms concerning Cllr McLellan’s political allegiance.
Following the incident, Cllr McLellan confided to The Herald that the incident had subjected him to “a significant amount of online abuse.”
Adding fuel to the fire, a social media figure affiliated with Reform UK heralded the supposed defection on X, stating, “Our first (direct) defection from the SNP to Reform! A warm welcome to Cllr Alex McLellan, who represents Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen on Aberdeen City Council.”
This assertion prompted a vehement denial from Cllr McLellan, who branded the claim as “a lie.”
Despite a follow-up refutation by Reform UK Scotland’s account on X, the erroneous post gained traction online before being expunged just hours later.
The error on the council’s website was rectified around 12:30 PM on Sunday.
In early June, Nigel Farage had previously visited the city in anticipation of the contentious Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election.
During a gathering at a waterfront restaurant, he publicly announced that Tory councillor Duncan Massey had aligned himself with the right-wing faction.
In an official statement, a spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council expressed regret over the incident, which has cast a shadow on Cllr McLellan, who chairs the Finance and Resource Committee and collaborates with local MSP Jackie Dunbar.
The spokesperson remarked, “Aberdeen City Council acknowledges that an error occurred on our website, incorrectly listing Councillor Alexander McLellan’s political affiliation. This was promptly corrected once identified, and we sincerely apologise for any confusion or distress this may have caused.”
They further clarified, “Following a comprehensive investigation, we can confirm that this issue did not stem from unauthorised access or malicious intent. Our external vendor has verified that a software bug within their system caused this error during routine updates.”
In response to the incident, Cllr McLellan remarked: “I discovered over the weekend that there were claims circulating on social media about my supposed shift to another party, which generated considerably more interest than I anticipated on Sunday morning.”
He continued: “Friends and family reached out, often in jest, as the idea of me departing from the SNP could not be further from reality. I have been a member of the SNP since before I was eligible to vote; my relationships within the party feel familial.”
Cllr McLellan added, “As an SNP elected Councillor, I am deeply committed to advancing policies that enhance the lives of Aberdonians and make our city a desirable place to live, work, and raise families. Moreover, my overarching ambition remains the pursuit of Scottish independence.”
He lamented the unpleasantness of the online harassment he faced, especially upon realising that the source of the rumour originated from the council’s own website.
Cllr McLellan expressed appreciation for the prompt actions of senior officials, who swiftly corrected the website and conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. “Understanding how this transpired was crucial, especially to verify that it wasn’t an internal issue at Aberdeen City Council,” he stated. “We now know that the external provider, Civica, was accountable for the glitch. I await an apology from Civica in light of this incident, and I hope it will be forthcoming.”
Three days later, Reform UK celebrated its sixteenth defection in Scotland by welcoming ex-Labour councillor Julie MacDougall into its fold.
Cllr MacDougall, who departed Labour after failing to secure candidacy in the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency ahead of the 2024 general election, conveyed her enthusiasm to Reform UK, stating, “After thoughtful consultation, I am delighted to join to become part of a team aiming to enact genuine change for our communities. I seek more mature, authentic politics.”
She concluded with optimism for the future: “I look forward to this exciting new chapter and remain fully devoted to serving the people of Fife.”
Source link: Uk.news.yahoo.com.
