New depute provost appointed for Aberdeen City Council

Abderdeen City Council Lord Provost Barney Crockett and Depute Lord Provost Jennifer Stewart - Image credit: Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen councillors have chosen a new depute provost to replace ousted former depute provost Alan Donnelly.

Councillor Jennifer Stewart was appointed to the civic role yesterday.

Her predecessor, Conservative councillor Alan Donnelly, resigned after being charged with sexual assault in January.

He is currently suspended by the Scottish Conservatives but remains the councillor for Torry and Ferryhill.

Stewart, who represents the Hazlehead, Queen’s Cross and Countesswells ward of Aberdeen, has been a councillor for 12 years.

She was originally elected as a Lib Dem but resigned from the group shortly after the local government election in 2017 to continue as an independent and join the Aberdeen Labour/Conservative coalition.

She was nominated for the depute provost role by the Aberdeen City Council’s Conservative co-leader Douglas Lumsden. 

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Barney Crockett, said: “I am delighted that Councillor Jennifer Stewart has been appointed to the post of depute provost of Aberdeen.

“Jennifer cares deeply about all our citizens and her keen interest in the arts, education and faith will ensure that she will excel in her civic role.”

Stewart said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured that my peers have appointed me to this important civic post.  

“I am committed to continuing to work tirelessly for Aberdeen and look forward to working with Lord Provost Crockett in promoting this wonderful city of ours.  

“Speaking candidly, I only wish my late father was here to share this wonderful news with me.”