Sacked: William O'Rourke.
A Glasgow city councillor has been relieved of his duties after making inappropriate comments about an alleged nine-year-old girl rape victim.
Labour councillor William O’Rourke allegedly asked a police officer investigating the case if the child "wanted it to happen".
The remark is said to have been made while Councillor O'Rourke was chairing a disciplinary panel hearing into the case of a care worker who was sacked after being accused of raping the girl - a claim denied by the accused.
Council leader Gordon Matheson sacked Councillor O'Rourke from all his civic posts after the remarks surfaced in the Sunday Mail newspaper.
Councillor O’Rourke was alleged to have questioned the promiscuity of young children, and their provocative dress sense. It was reported the police officer who was giving evidence then made an official complaint following the comments.
On Monday, in a statement, Glasgow City Council said Councillor O’Rourke has been removed from his positions on the Strathclyde Police Authority, the Personnel Appeals Committee and the boards of council-owned companies City Parking and Glasgow City Markets.
He has also been suspended by the Labour Party.
Councillor Matheson said: "Councillor O’Rourke’s behaviour falls way short of the standard I and the public expect of Glasgow councillors.
"Cllr O’Rourke’s comments to the Personnel Appeals Committee were disgraceful. We are elected by the public to protect the vulnerable people of our city. Cllr O’Rourke not only failed in his duty to do this but he also made highly offensive and inappropriate statements about a vulnerable young person.
"Councillors are by law the ‘corporate parents’ of those in our care. It is the single most important responsibility we hold and I will ensure that every member of this Council lives up to that responsibility."
Councillor O’Rourke remains a councillor for the Greater Pollok ward. He has not responded to STV News's request for comment.
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