Glasgow’s £166,000 a year education chief has quit over text exchanges which could have undermined rules on political impartiality.
Dr Douglas Hutchison announced his resignation as executive director of education after the discovery of an exchange with a councillor.
A council source said the councillor is not part of the ruling SNP administration.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Glasgow council said the texts date back to Spring 2024:
"Glasgow City Council’s Executive Director of Education Douglas Hutchison has resigned with immediate effect.
“In Spring 2024, Douglas responded to text messages from a member of Glasgow City Council about the Council’s 2024/2025 budget. Whilst it is completely appropriate for council officers to offer advice to members from across the chamber, those messages may have strayed into potentially undermining the council’s budget process and may have breached rules on political restriction.
“Last week, it became apparent to the Executive Director of Education that those messages may become public, and on rereading them took the view that they should be brought to the attention of the Chief Executive. Accordingly, he immediately brought the matter to the attention of the Chief Executive and offered his resignation, which we have accepted.
“We understand that no further comment will be provided by Dr Hutchison at this time.”
The council’s latest accounts show Hutchison’s latest remuneration package was worth £166,541.
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