Tory denies homophobic slur after council row

A TORY councillor was last night facing a possible police investigation over accusations that he branded the openly gay leader of one of Scotland's largest local authorities a "faggot" during a furious row in a council corridor.

Jim Farquharson is alleged to have launched his "homophobic" tirade against Councillor John Stewart, the leader of Aberdeen City Council, following a meeting to discuss the appointment of a new executive for the cash-strapped authority.

The Scotsman understands an official with the council's legal and democratic services, overheard the remark, and reported it to his line manager.

The Conservative councillor yesterday admitted that he called the leader of the Liberal Democrat and SNP administration a "fascist" and a "fat git" when both men confronted each other in a corridor at Aberdeen's Town House, but flatly refuted claims made by Councillor Stewart that he had called him a "faggot" - an offensive term for a homosexual.

Mr Stewart said he also took exception to being branded a fat git. He declared: "I am 14 stone and 5ft 8in - that's hardly fat."

He revealed he was still considering his options about how to take the matter forward - including reporting Mr Farquharson to the Standards Commission or lodging a complaint with Grampian Police.

Mr Stewart stressed: "I am quite clear that I have a duty to protect staff and other elected members from the sort of behaviour that Councillor Farquharson displayed."

Mr Farquharson, a member of the council for three and half years, admitted: "In a fit of rage I called him a 'fascist.' I felt instantly it was perhaps a little bit over the top. And when he asked me 'What did you call me?' I said 'I called you a fat git' which was first thing I could think of that fitted and just walked off."

He added: "I have never ever used the word faggot in my life. I have never made any allegations of any homophobic nature against anyone ever."