| Tensions between the two men have been simmering for months since a row in which Mr Letford alleged Mr Borthwick had tried to get him to stand down early so he could take his place — a claim Mr Borthwick vehemently denied.
The two men subsequently said they would continue to work together in the interests of the city.
But Mr Borthwick now says the situation has deteriorated to the point where something has to be done to resolve matters.
“I am being excluded from the civic role that I was appointed unanimously by the council to fulfil,” he said.
“That is extremely regrettable for the city.”
Mr Borthwick said regular meetings between himself and Mr Letford, which used to take place to discuss the programme of civic events, had been terminated without explanation and, as Depute Lord Provost, he was being allowed to do very little.
“I thought at first it was because of the council’s summer recess and the Lord Provost’s recent bereavement (the Lady Provost died suddenly in June),” he said.
“But I have now been told — not directly by the Lord Provost but by a member of staff — that the meetings will not be resuming.”
Mr Borthwick said he had also been snubbed and ignored by the Lord Provost in front of staff and, at times, in front of members of the public.
“I have given the Lord Provost every support during recent months and I believed we were developing a good relationship, recognising that the most important thing was for us to work together for the good of the city,” he said.
“It is essential that we have a unified civic leadership committed to the same objectives.”
Mr Borthwick said he had no intention of stepping down as Depute Lord Provost and wanted to get the issue resolved as amicably as possible.
“I am firmly of the view that to continue in the post of Depute Lord Provost would be in the best interests of our city and I will do so for as long as I have the confidence and trust of my colleagues on the council,” he said.
“I will also continue to support the Lord Provost in his role as civic head.”
He said he had raised the matter with administration leader Ken Guild, Labour opposition group leader Kevin Keenan and council chief executive Alex Stephen.
Councillor Keenan confirmed that Mr Borthwick had spoken to him about the situation but said it had been brought to his attention already by others in the council.
“From the conversations I have had and comments made by others, I can only conclude that the Depute Lord Provost … is being treated appallingly,” he said.
Mr Letford said he was at a loss to understand what Mr Borthwick was talking about and insisted his civic function had not changed.
“When I, as Lord Provost, am unable to fulfil an engagement because of a double booking then my first port of call is the Depute,” he said.
“That is how it’s always been and that hasn’t changed.
“I am not aware of a breakdown in the relationship.”
Mr Letford denied having snubbed or ignored Mr Borthwick. “We don’t see each other that often but when we do I say good morning or good afternoon,” he said.
He acknowledged that “my mind has perhaps been elsewhere at times” in the few weeks since his wife’s death. |
