Of all the recommendations from the latest report into whistleblowing culture and safeguarding in the City of Edinburgh Council, it’s doubtful the councillors who ordered it thought it would include a ban on Christmas parties.

None could have expected former Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion to become the Grinch when he was invited to investigate such serious matters as allegations of harassment against former council leader Cammy Day and the leaking of confidential information about complaints against him to the Press.

But in a 30-page report at the end of which Mr Dunion makes 15 recommendations, the last has attracted much attention, for the council to “consider the appropriateness of social events and hospitality arrangements”.

Before anyone gets the impression that Edinburgh’s City Chambers is awash with Bacchanalian excess, in my five years I never witnessed anything remotely untoward.

Read more

Sir Tom taught us one thing: chin-stroking doesn't build houses - private money does

Surprisingly, telling people road closures are 'for their own good' goes down badly

Maybe I just wasn’t invited to the hottest events, but my recollection, primarily of Conservative Group Christmas receptions, was of a few glasses of wine and supermarket nibbles ─ funded by us from our group subscriptions ─ and everyone mucking in to clear away in very good time to repair to a nearby boozer where it was someone else’s turn to serve the drinks.

The Labour Group bash did have........

© Herald Scotland