Tensions rise over council orders in Scotland

Trade figures in Aberdeen are demanding city licensing board resignations after police were urged to report more licensees for flouting the laws against serving drunks.

The row follows the board's decision to scrap Aberdeen's failed 2am curfew policy - originally brought in against strong trade opposition - which has sparked fresh arguments on how to tackle late night disorder.

Councillor Bill Cormie, who made the controversial police call, has said he won't resign and has vowed to "clean up the city".

He said it was a fact that drink was being served to drunks, and that it must be stopped.

His remarks are backed "100 per cent" by board convener Muriel Jaffrey, who said: "Most board members feel the same way. There are problems in the city centre and some licensees must share responsibility for this."

But Epic Group boss Mike Wilson, whose city late venues include the Priory in hotspot Belmont Street, branded the comments "a disgrace".

He said: "I cannot imagine any other industry being treated this way. If a board has such 'issues' with the licensed trade how can it possibly be impartial when judging applications?"

And Eddie Tobin, who heads the Scottish Late Night Operators Association, said: "It is outrageous the board is treating a trade vital to the city economy as if it were some dodgy business.

"It appears to end any hope of building the partnership needed to run the city centre successfully."

Commenting on the failed curfew, manager Cindy Williams at The Foundry, which shuts at midnight, said: "It hit pubs badly because everyone left early to be sure of getting into a late venue."

Manager Esther Wells at G1 Group nightclub The Rig said: "Some places may have problems but Aberdeen is no worse than any other British city."

Police said the effect of the six month pilot curfew had been "minimal".