News item

18th May 2009.

Devine Intervention Fails to Deliver Success for Health Board Intimidation.

The concerted campaign by NHS Lothian against Councillor Ellen Glass has, at long last, hit the buffers. Councillor Glass was accused by NHS Lothian Chair, Dr. Charles Winstanley, of breaching confidentiality at St. John’s hospital, and impersonating an MP.

On hearing that Ms. Glass had been accused of these hurtful and unfounded allegations, Mr. Devine complained to the Chief Investigating Officer at the Standards Commission. Last week, the Local Government Watchdog threw out the complaints from NHS and the MP.

During the period of investigation, NHS Lothian repeatedly refused to provide Councillor Glass with any evidence to support their allegations against her. In addition to requests she made personally, West Lothian Council also wrote asking for an explanation.

It is now clear that the reason she received no response is that there was no evidence. NHS senior management were aware of this a matter of a few weeks after they first made their allegations. Despite this, they continued to make allegations in the media, and at one point banned her from entering St. John’s Hospital without being escorted.

Councillor Glass said of the decision that she had not breached the Code of Conduct, “I am absolutely delighted that I have been vindicated, but really sad and angry that this has been hanging over me and my family for just short of a year”.

During the time of the ban Ms. Glass lost first her Brother-in Law in September 2008, and then her Sister in March of this year. “This was a terrible time for my family and friends”, she commented. “I wasn’t allowed to attend the Memorial Service at the Hospital with my family just after Jim’s death. I was then told I needed to be escorted to visit my sister when she was rushed in to St. John’s before she died. It was disgraceful, and I hope the people responsible will think on this.”

Asked what she thought of the allegations of impersonating an MP, she replied “Why would I want to impersonate any MP, far less Mr. Devine? He did his usual jumping on the band-wagon when he thought he could score points. He should be flattered anyone would want to impersonate him, given his recent press coverage for expenses and bullying”.

Councillor Glass added that she looked forward to being able to concentrate her attention on the Hospital she was elected to protect.

Read Clearance letter from Ethical Standards in Public Life Chief Investigating Officer here

 

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