Youth campaigner has suspension lifted

CAMPAIGNER Daniel Robertson has been reinstated to the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Shetlander Mr Robertson, 20, was suspended two and a half weeks ago over allegations he had taken part in a rowdy drinking session in a hotel in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, with the SYP chairman, which had apparently resulted in complaints from guests and other SYP members. Drink is forbidden while on SYP business.

Mr Robertson claimed the suspension was as a result of events being “blown out of all proportion” and his case went before a panel on Friday. Further evidence was presented, and he was eventually cleared on Tuesday. He resumed his activities as health spokesman for the SYP with immediate effect.

A relieved Mr Robertson said it was very good news. He said: “I’m over the moon. The panel recommended that no further action be taken. They said they believed the process had had a significant effect on me and they hoped I would be able to continue to play an active part in Scottish youth politics.”

Mr Robertson had protested his innocence all along and said he could not believe events had “gone this far”. He was clearly frustrated last week that his case had got into the national media and pictures from previous charity events depicted him and SYP chairman Kieran Collins, 24, as drinking buddies.

Now, Mr Robertson said, he just wanted to get back to business. He said: “The panel made the right decision and I’m looking forward to getting back to work.” He represents mental health charity Penumbra in the SYP, and his next parliamentary job, he said, would be a young person’s HIV project. “It’s all go again.”

The suspensions of Mr Robertson and Mr Collins (the first time a chairman has been suspended) were a result of the strict policy of no drinking while on SYP business, brought in after an incident in Glenrothes after a door was kicked in.

Recently the SYP was instrumental in overturning a Scottish government proposal to limit off-licence sales to those over 21.