Councillors have been accused of being disrespectful to one another during a full Fife Council meeting last Thursday which saw one walk out of the chamber.

Provost Jim Leishman admonished elected members multiple times to adhere to the code of conduct and asked for better behaviour.   

However, the situation deteriorated and at one point, Lib Dem councillor Allan Knox gathered his things and left the chamber in the middle of the meeting. 

Throughout the course of the morning, respect deteriorated as councillors engaged in mock laughter and muttered comments while others were speaking. 

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At one point, as a Labour councillor finished, an unidentified SNP councillor said off-speaker that the “Daleks have spoken”.

SNP councillor Bailey-Lee Robb, who represents the Cowdenbeath ward, first raised the issue of respect after Labour's Altany Craik said “Get a grip” under his breath while SNP opposition leader David Alexander was addressing the chamber. 

“I’m reminding you about respect,” Provost Leishman admonished after the point was raised.  “It goes for everyone in the room. This is an important matter – respect is a great thing to have.

"If you don’t have it for fellow councillors, it’s a poor place to be. Please show respect for everyone in the chamber.”   

Dunfermline Press: Councillor Allan Knox said he had no respect for the Provost and walked out of the Fife Council meeting.Councillor Allan Knox said he had no respect for the Provost and walked out of the Fife Council meeting. (Image: Fife Council)

SNP councillor John Beare later made remarks about Santa Claus “skipping” Lib Dem councillor James Calder’s house as he visits Dunfermline to evaluate “who’s been naughty or nice”. 

The latter's wife, Cllr Aude Boubaker-Calder, immediately raised a point of order, calling the remarks a “personal attack”. 

“I think it’s called humour,” Cllr Beare replied. 

Labour councillor Linda Erskine later said she was “disgusted” by the behaviour of elected members at the meeting. 

“I sat through this meeting listening to people calling speakers hypocrites, stupid, clowns and now speaking drivel – and it’s all coming from the SNP,” she claimed.  

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“I’m disgusted that people in Fife can watch this show. It’s not good enough and I want people to have some respect.

"We don’t have the same views – that’s obvious – but at least we can respect and listen to people.” 

Provost Leishman said:  “It’s really been quite upsetting for me listening from up here.”

He began to remind members about respect when he was interrupted by an SNP member accusing him of looking at the SNP group as he spoke.

“I’m sorry if by looking at you I’ve annoyed you,” the provost continued.  “Everyone in the chamber please, please show respect when someone is speaking. I’m not going to tell you again because this is just nonsense.” 

However, he was interrupted again and told colleagues to let him finish speaking.

At this point, Cllr Knox gathered his things and left the chamber.  He told the provost that he had no respect for him before walking out.

He did not return to the meeting.  There wasn’t a particular resolution to the situation, at the end of the meeting, councillors simply went their separate ways.