GLASGOW City Council’s depute leader has condemned the abuse he faced from online trolls following accusations made against him regarding Rangers FC fan zone.
Both council leader Susan Aitken and her deputy have been cleared by the Standards Commissioner of intervening in a decision to refuse Rangers FC a fan zone on Glasgow Life pitches at Ibrox.
Councillors Aitken and McDonald have now been fully exonerated by the Standards Commission of complaints of footballing bias from political opponents.
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Speaking about these complaints, councillor McDonald who is also the chairman of Glasgow Life, said: “After a full and thorough investigation, the Ethical Standards Commissioner has confirmed that there was no basis or truth to the false allegations made against me in relation to decisions made about the Ibrox Fan Zone in 2018.
“These fabricated claims which were recklessly echoed by other Glasgow politicians, led to sustained, vitriolic abuse that culminated in threats.
“Social Media can be a dangerous place and words have consequences. Consequences that limited my life and my ability to carry out my duties for a period of time.”
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He also said it had been a stressful time for his family, friends and party colleagues.
Mr McDonald continued: “My family, made up of both Celtic and Rangers supporters, helped me to get over the mindless sectarian slurs aimed at me on a nearly daily basis and they too also had to live with abuse.
“They stood with me during the worst of the onslaught and I cannot thank them enough for their support.
“Glasgow is a football city, it’s in our DNA. So I’m now looking forward to leaving it all in the past and getting on with doing the job I love.”
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