A VETERAN councillor has been made the subject of formal complaints that could see him barred from office for five years.

Jim Bollan, who has served residents of Leven for more than 20 years, was repeatedly warned about his comments during heated West Dunbartonshire Council meetings earlier this year as he hit out over corruption allegations against the authority.

The Post understands there have been 18 charges levelled by Chief Executive Joyce White against the Community Party councillor to the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) focused on those public meetings.

They will report to the Standards Commission who could block Councillor Bollan - who is West Dunbartonshire’s longest-serving councillor - from elected office for up to five years.

Cllr Bollan was instrumental in highlighting secret council reports into allegations against three council employees and millions of pounds in contracts. So much of that report was redacted from councillor eyes that they voted unanimously for a review of how much they could be shown.

A second version still had dozens of blank pages.

Read more: West Dunbartonshire Council debates Audit Scotland corruption probe

The council has repeatedly pointed out that Police Scotland established no criminality by any employee.

The Community Party said they would be holding a meeting this week into the “unwarranted attack from Mrs White” over Cllr Bollan “helping to uncover corruption on WDC”.

Cllr Bollan, who at 12 surgeries a month, has more than any other councillor, but he doesn’t sit on any council committees.

He told the Post: “As a Socialist it is an occupational hazard being reported for challenging the system which is corrupt to the core.

“As an elected councillor I would have condoned corruption (dishonest practices by officials) and been complicit had I covered the matter up.

“I have no regrets and believe it is in the public interest that I brought these corrupt practices to light.”

A spokeswoman for the council said: “The council does not comment on the detail of any referrals to the Ethical Standards Commissioner as this information would be confidential between the council and an elected member.”

Read more: West Dunbartonshire Council corruption allegations report remains heavily redacted

A spokeswoman for the ESC told the Post: “I can confirm that there is an open investigation.

“The respondent is Cllr James Bollan and West Dunbartonshire Council.

“We are unable to confirm the nature of the allegation.

“Following an investigation, if the commissioner believes there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct she will send a report to the Standards Commission.

“Ultimately, it is the Standards Commission who decides whether or not there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct.

“The Standards Commission also decides the penalties for any breach.

“We are a statutory body. In terms of (section 12 of) the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000, we are required to treat complaints confidentially and therefore cannot give any further details.

“It is not our practice to comment further until the commissioner concludes any investigation.”