Allegations have emerged against Lloyd Melville, a Scottish National Party councillor, regarding his conduct towards women during his time with the Stirling University Scottish Nationalist Association.
Lloyd Melville, a Scottish National Party (SNP) councillor in Angus, has come under scrutiny following allegations related to his treatment of women during his presidency of the Stirling University Scottish Nationalist Association (SUSNA) in 2019. Complaints were made by former members of this student group, leading to Melville being offered equalities training due to the concerns raised.
Several individuals who were part of SUSNA at the time reported that Melville’s behaviour towards female members was troubling. Allegations included derogatory remarks where he reportedly referred to women who did not attend meetings as “lazy cows” and made jokes about the group meeting its gender quota when they were present. One woman who worked with Melville stated, “He made comments that weren’t appropriate. When we came to events or meetings, he would say that he’d met the ‘gender quota’ and things as if it was a joke.” This sentiment was echoed by another former member who claimed Melville repeatedly singled out women in meetings, alluding to a “feminist quota” while simultaneously belittling those who were absent.
Concerns arose that Melville highlighted female members only for the purpose of photo opportunities, with accusations that he would physically arrange women in front of male members during these events. The former SUSNA members indicated that he rarely provided meaningful opportunities for women, prompting two women to meet with him to address the issue directly.
In 2022, Melville was elected as a councillor and has since been employed as a caseworker for Graeme Dey, the current Angus South MSP. Prior to this, he worked for SNP MP Dave Doogan until December 2023. Melville is now aspiring to become an MSP himself in the upcoming Holyrood elections, seeking to replace Dey, who is stepping down amidst a wave of departures within the party.
Amid the unfolding situation, a source close to Melville characterised the claims as “vexatious” and politically motivated. In response to the allegations, he stated, “I attended a meeting to discuss the complaint where it was decided unanimously there was no action to be taken. As anyone who knows me will attest to, I am a strong supporter of gender equality in politics and all walks of life.”
The backdrop for these allegations comes at a significant moment for the SNP, as a notable number of serving MSPs, including former first minister Humza Yousaf and senior party figures such as finance secretary Shona Robison and transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, have announced their departures from Holyrood. This exodus has raised concerns among party insiders regarding the potential lack of experience in the next parliament, particularly in light of the upcoming elections.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/618823/former-dundee-councillor-craig-melville-found-guilty-of-sending-racist-text-messages/ – This article, while not directly about Lloyd Melville, provides context on past issues within the SNP concerning inappropriate behavior by members, which may indirectly relate to the scrutiny Lloyd Melville faces regarding his actions.
- https://www.anguscountyworld.co.uk/news/politics/councillor-announces-bid-to-win-snp-candidacy-for-angus-south-5032986 – This article confirms Lloyd Melville’s candidacy announcement for the Angus South constituency and provides background information on his political aspirations.
- https://graemedey.info/local-snp-politicians-seek-to-remove-banking-hub-obstacles/ – This link highlights Lloyd Melville’s involvement in local SNP initiatives, showing his engagement with community issues but does not directly address the allegations.
- https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/scv/rulesofcourt.pdf – Although unrelated to the specific claims about Lloyd Melville, this document illustrates legal procedures that could be relevant in addressing or investigating similar complaints within legal contexts.
- https://www.mass.gov/guide-to-evidence/article-xi-miscellaneous – This source is more about legal evidence procedures and does not directly address Lloyd Melville or the SNP, but it might provide context on how allegations can be handled in formal settings.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions current political developments and recent changes, such as Graeme Dey stepping down and Lloyd Melville’s employment history. This suggests the information is relatively fresh, but the specific allegations stem from events in 2019.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes are included but lack clear original sources or dates. The quotes appear to be recent and specific to the context, which could indicate they are original to this report.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable publication, the Daily Record, which is known for its journalism in Scotland. This indicates a high level of reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Lloyd Melville’s behaviour are plausible given the context of political figures facing scrutiny. However, the plausibility depends on the accuracy of the allegations and responses from those involved.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears well-sourced and timely, concerning recent political events and allegations. While the quotes lack specific original sources, the reliability of the publication and the context support the credibility of the report.
