Aberdeen MSPs Voice Support For Troubleshooter Linked To Shannon Case

MSPs from across the political divide voiced support last night for a troubleshooter hired to improve social services in Aberdeen who has links to the Shannon Matthews case.

Liberal Democrat and Conservative politicians said Philip Cotterill, who has been drafted in for six months, should be given a chance to prove himself, despite the fact that he headed up the department in Yorkshire which removed the 10-year-old from the child-protection register five years before she was abducted.

Mr Cotterill, 55, was director of Kirklees Council’s social services when it was decided to take the youngster off the at-risk list in 2003, despite repeated complaints about the Matthews family.

Although the decision was made on his watch, Mr Cotterill insisted he had not been directly involved, arguing that responsibility for the daily running of the department had been delegated to others.

Karen Matthews was convicted last week of kidnapping Shannon with accomplice Michael Donovan, 40.

Social work expert Mr Cotterill, who is backing a Kirklees Council inquiry into the case, was recruited to sort out Aberdeen City Council’s social work service, which has been heavily criticised in two reports this year.

The findings mean the city has one of the worst records in Scotland for child protection.

Aberdeen South Liberal Democrat MSP Nicol Stephen said: “Philip Cotterill is relatively new to the post but so far the indications are that he is doing a good job.

“I know that progress is being made and it is important that this continues.”

Grampian Joint Police Board convener Martin Greig also voiced his support for Mr Cotterill, saying he had a “very impressive” social work background. North-east Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said: “He is obviously someone who brings a great deal of experience.

“We need to give this man the opportunity to demonstrate his skills in a new environment and there are some signs he is making progress.”

North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said: “There will be naturally some concern about this revelation due to the state of child protection in Aberdeen.

“But this is not about personalities. It is about making sure the right measures are put in place.”

The city council’s leadership board, which appointed Mr Cotterill as social care programme director in July, maintains he is the best man for the job.