A North Ayrshire councillor joined an online meeting while driving, leaving colleagues stunned and prompting a point of order. Labour councillor Jim Montgomerie appeared on screen from behind the wheel during the council meeting last month, after previously being seen at home.
Meeting Descends Into Farce
Provost Anthea Dickson chaired the meeting, which lasted almost three hours and covered a full agenda of local matters. However, the leader of North Ayrshire Council, Tony Gurney, raised a point of order when he noticed Cllr Montgomerie appearing from behind his steering wheel.
Gurney said that while the council accepts remote attendance, Cllr Montgomerie would not be able to concentrate fully on the agenda while driving. He stated: “I'd like to raise a point of order. At least I think it is a point of order. We allow people to attend remotely on the basis that they concentrate on the proceedings of the council. And I do wonder whether being on the road and having to concentrate on driving would perhaps mar that in any respect.”
Fellow councillors could be seen and heard laughing and shaking their heads as he spoke, while Cllr Montgomerie tried to interject. Provost Dickson replied: “Yes, I don’t want to be seen to be encouraging this. When you are not supposed to use your mobile phone and would get prosecuted by the police.”
Councillor's Response
Cllr Montgomerie brazenly replied that the device he was using was “hands free.” When asked to leave the meeting and rejoin when he was in a stable location and not driving, he persisted: “I am stable just now and I am staying online.”
Silence followed as stunned councillors seemed unsure what to say next. Cllr Gurney again addressed the meeting: “Provost, I am not entirely sure that I am happy with that answer. I understand we are on questions now but we will shortly be on motions and I do wonder whether that is appropriate.”
Provost Dickson said: “I think we have given our warning and our suggestion to the member and his actions will stand for himself.” Cllr Montgomerie, who could be seen handling the steering wheel, replied: “Thank you, Provost.” She sniped back: “I don't know what you are thanking me for” before continuing with the agenda.
Aftermath and Future Changes
The meeting continued for another 20 minutes with the Labour councillor remaining at the wheel. As it closed, Cllr Gurney addressed the matter again, suggesting any councillor joining while driving should be excluded from voting. Provost Dickson replied: “I think that is a fair point and we will note it. I think that obviously we need to modify our remote access because we cannot have members putting themselves at risk and driving cars at the same time as participating in the meeting. We will see how that comes up in the future.”
North Ayrshire Council and Police Scotland have been approached for comment.
