Maggie Chapman's hopes of re-election boosted after lead candidate dropped by Greens
The lead candidate, who has now been dropped, claims there has been a campaign against him
Maggie Chapman’s hopes of being re-elected have been given a boost after the candidate who placed ahead of her in the list rankings was dropped.
Guy Ingerson, who had been selected as the top Green candidate for the North East region at May’s election, has been dropped as a candidate due to “unresolved complaints” against him.
However, Mr Ingerson insists there has been a “two-year long campaign of bullying, lies, rumour and smears designed to stop my candidacy”.
Ms Chapman, who had been ranked second for the Greens in the north-east region, now moves into the top spot meaning she will most likely be re-elected as an MSP.
In a statement, Mr Ingerson said: “The co-conveners of the party’s standing orders committee requested I be re-vetted due to an unresolved complaint against me.
“This process has not concluded, and I had argued that this action would be both prejudicial to the outcome of the complaints process and unconstitutional.
“These arguments, and my right to appeal to constitutional interpretation of the co-conveners to a full meeting of the standing orders committee, were ignored.
“After a two-year long campaign of bullying, lies, rumour and smears designed to stop my candidacy, those who participated in this campaign have been successful.
“Others have also suffered from this behaviour. I stand in solidarity with you.”
Mr Ingerson said “significant reform” is now needed to the Greens’ internal processes to “restore members’ faith in the complaints process”.
He added: “I know many members in our region may be angry and disappointed at being disenfranchised in this way.
“Our internal democracy has been undermined. As the first person in our party’s history to beat an incumbent MSP in a selection contest, I feel the same way.
“The party has let you and I down.”
However, the Scottish Greens said they “reject” Mr Ingerson’s characterisation of internal party processes, and confirmed Ms Chapman is now the lead candidate for the North East region.
A spokesman said: “Guy Ingerson is suspended from the Scottish Greens following unresolved complaints.
“Following completion of the party’s vetting process, he will not be nominated as a candidate for the Scottish Greens for the upcoming Holyrood election.
“We reject his characterisation of our processes and party officers.
“The lead candidate for the North East will be Maggie Chapman with a top-up selection meeting taking place with members to determine the final list.”
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