Friday, November 29, 2002

Scottish Borders Councillor Alec Nicol charged with crawling for prostitutes in Edinburgh stands down ‘to clear his name’

Councillor Alec Nicol, a senior LibDem Councillor with Scottish Borders Council who featured in media reports last week as having been arrested & charged with kerb crawling for prostitutes in Edinburgh has announced he is ‘standing down to clear his name’, according to reports from the Southern Reporter.

Councillor Nicol told the local newspaper "I am innocent. I categorically deny that my presence in the Leith area was for any immoral purpose. I have done nothing of which I feel ashamed." after he had a meeting with solicitor Terry McNally, a partner in Stormonth Darling Solicitors, a corrupt Borders law firm based in Kelso made famous by one of it’s partners, Andrew 'Drew' Penman, who has been the subject of several investigations by the Law Society of Scotland involving alleged frauds involving people from the Borders wills & estates.

The Southern reports :

Nicol steps down for court fight

Published on Friday 29 November 2002 11:04

A SENIOR Borders councillor, who was stopped by police during a midnight patrol of a red light district in Edinburgh, has said he’ll fight in court to clear his name. Meanwhile, Alex Nicol has stood down as leader of the Lib Dem group on the council and has also relinquished his position as the council s education portfolio holder.

Council leader John Scott denied pressure had been put on councillor Nicol to step aside following last week s incident.

Councillor Nicol was stopped by officers in the Salamander Street area of Leith during a police crackdown. He was quizzed at the scene and then taken to Leith Police Station for more questions where he was formally charged with breach of the peace. The married councillor was later freed and is due to appear at a district court in the city on Wednesday.

And he has already indicated that he will fight the charge all the way and go to trial. In a statement, he declared: "I am innocent. I categorically deny that my presence in the Leith area was for any immoral purpose. I have done nothing of which I feel ashamed." Yesterday (Wednesday) he contacted The Southern after a meeting with Kelso-based solicitor, Terry McNally.

He told us: "I wanted to tell the world my motive for being there. I have a clear conscience but I have been told not to say much more at this stage." And he said he had agreed to say only: "I am keen to provide a full explanation, particularly to my constituents in my ward. However, my solicitor advises me this can be done at the appropriate time as I demonstrate my innocence of the charge."

Cllr Nicol will attend court personally accompanied by his solicitor to lodge a not guilty plea. Any trial is unlikely to take place until after the New Year. Councillor Nicol met with council leader John Scott and deputy leader David Parker last Thursday after details of his arrest late on Tuesday night became known.

It s understood his role within the ruling administration was discussed and he was told by the top two that they would stand by any decision he made. Councillor Scott told the Southern that no pressure had been put on the councillor to step down until after the allegations had been tested in court.

But The Southern understands that if he had decided not to quit then some members of the administration were ready to push for his resignation. Cllr Nicol told colleagues on the Lib Dem group of his decision to depart as leader and education spokesman at a meeting in the Buccleuch Arms Hotel at St Boswells on Sunday. He told them:"I have already declared that I am innocent of the technical charge of breach of the peace. I believe, however, that it would be easier for others if I was to step aside until such time as this matter is cleared up."

Depute group leader Norman Pender takes over as leader, He declared: "This decision was Alec’s alone. I respect his decision to step aside which I know he has made thinking of others."

He’s expected to be replaced as education spokesman by Peebles Councillor, Pat Smith. Her nomination from the ruling administration will go before the full council on December 12. But leader Scott said Cllr Nicol could make a return to the main fold. The leader told us: "There was no pushing Cllr Nicol went by his own decision. And if he is cleared, he will come back." Councillor Nicol continues to play a role on the council he’ll take Cllr Smith s place on the Scrutiny Panel.

Thursday, November 21, 2002

Scandal at Scottish Borders Council as Libdem Councillor Alec Nicol charged with kerb crawling for prostitutes in Edinburgh

The Education Chief at Scottish Borders Council, Liberal Democrat Councillor Alec Nicol who chairs the ‘Education & Lifelong Learning Committee” has been charged with kerb crawling for prostitutes in Edinburgh’s Salamander Street, according to reports in several newspapers.

Council Chief faces kerb crawling charge

By: ROBERT FAIRBURN Daily Record Nov 21, 2002

A SENIOR member of a scandal hit council was arrested during a police crackdown on kerb crawling. Alex Nicol - Lib Dem leader on Scottish Borders Council - was snared in the operation in a notorious red- light district. The farmer's Mitsubishi four-wheel drive was spotted circling a well- known prostitute pick-up zone in Leith, Edinburgh.

The married father-of-three was stopped by police in Salamander Street shortly before midnight on Tuesday. He was later charged with breach of the peace and bailed to appear in court at a later date. Lothian and Borders Police had launched a crackdown on street prostitution following complaints from residents.

The arrest is the latest setback to hit the council since a pounds £4 million education overspend. Its social work department is being investigated over its handling of a sex abuse case.

Last night Nicol was unavailable for comment at his farm at Morebattle near Kelso, where he stays with his wife Pat. Council leader John Scott said: "I have not spoken to him so I cannot say anything." A council spokesman added: "We would not take any action or consider what we might do until such time as these allegations are proven."

Nicol, councillor for Kelso since 1999, chairs the lifelong learning committee. He is also a senior figure in the Scottish National Farmers Union and represents the Scottish National Federation for Welfare of the Blind. A police spokesman said: "A 61-year-old man was cautioned and charged. A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal."

KERB-CRAWL COUNCILLOR NICKED AT HOOKER HAUNT

By DAVID CONNOR The Mirror Nov 21, 2002

A SCANDAL-HIT council was reeling last night after a leading councillor was arrested in a crackdown on kerb crawling. Alex Nicol, 61 - Liberal Dem leader on Scottish Borders Council - was snared in the notorious red-light district in Leith, Edinburgh. The marred dad-of-three was stopped by cops shortly before midnight on Tuesday. He was later charged with breach of the peace and will appear in court at a later date.

Last night Nicol was unavailable for comment at his farm at Morebattle near Kelso where he stays with wife Pat. Council leader John Scott said: "This is news to me. I have not spoken to him."

Lothian and Borders Police had launched a crackdown on street prostitution following complaints from residents and were stopping any driver seen patrolling the area three times.

It is the latest setback to hit the troubled council following a £4 million overspend in the education budget. It was also heavily criticised for its handling of the controversial Miss X case when three men were jailed for a catalogue of abuse against a woman with learning difficulties.

A council spokesman said:"We would not take any action until such time as these allegations are proven. "It is a matter for Councillor Nicol to decide his position."

The Southern Reporter, a newspaper in the Scottish Borders also reports :

Council chief charged

Published on Thursday 21 November 2002 09:52

POLICE on the hunt for kerb crawlers in a red-light district of Edinburgh have arrested a senior Borders council, writes Bob Burgess

Farmer Alex Nicol was stopped and quizzed by officers late on Tuesday night. The Kelso councillor was arrested and taken to Leith station where he was further quizzed and charged with Breach of the Peace. He was one of two men arrested on the same night. Both were later freed and are expected to appear in court at a later date.

Councillor Nicol who holds SBCs education and lifelong learning portfolio was stopped shortly before midnight in the Salamander Street area of Leith. Councillor Nicol has been the councillor Kelso and District since 1999.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police in Edinburgh told The Southern: "Following complains by local residents about motorists in the Leith area an initiative has been launched. "Last night (Tuesday) two motorists were stopped by police and after being questioned were charged and reports are going to the procurator fiscal."

Last week more than 70 residents demonstrated with placards as they marched from their homes to Leith Police Station. They claim that at certain times the area has become a no-go area for local women. Police now have an arrangement with the local procurator fiscal that motorists spotted in the area three or more times will be stopped for questioning.

Mr Nicol was not available for comment and Lib Dem council leader John Scott said it was not an issue he would comment on at this stage.