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Referendum count staff 'high-fived Yes votes and booed No' | Referendum count staff 'high-fived Yes votes and booed No' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A number of staff at a Scottish independence referendum count were replaced during the proceedings because of their behaviour, it has emerged. | A number of staff at a Scottish independence referendum count were replaced during the proceedings because of their behaviour, it has emerged. |
A group of four people were relieved of their duties at Highland Council's count in Dingwall on 18 September following complaints. | A group of four people were relieved of their duties at Highland Council's count in Dingwall on 18 September following complaints. |
It was understood some were seen giving the thumbs up and high-fiving each other when "Yes" votes were opened. | It was understood some were seen giving the thumbs up and high-fiving each other when "Yes" votes were opened. |
It was claimed boos were heard when "No" votes were opened. | It was claimed boos were heard when "No" votes were opened. |
Labour and Liberal Democrat party agents made a joint complaint, it was understood. | |
Highland Council has confirmed it received complaints during the count. | Highland Council has confirmed it received complaints during the count. |
A spokesperson for the Highland Counting Officer said: "Complaints were made about a count staff team of four people at the referendum count in Dingwall and as a result the team were stood down and replaced. | A spokesperson for the Highland Counting Officer said: "Complaints were made about a count staff team of four people at the referendum count in Dingwall and as a result the team were stood down and replaced. |
'Properly conducted' | 'Properly conducted' |
The local authority declined to comment on whether they would be disciplined further. | The local authority declined to comment on whether they would be disciplined further. |
Highland Council said replacing the staff did not contribute to a delay in the count. | Highland Council said replacing the staff did not contribute to a delay in the count. |
The result from the Highland area was the last in Scotland to be declared, after almost 30 ballot boxes were delayed by a fatal crash on the A9. | The result from the Highland area was the last in Scotland to be declared, after almost 30 ballot boxes were delayed by a fatal crash on the A9. |
A lorry driver died when his vehicle crashed near Berriedale Braes in Caithness on 18 September. | A lorry driver died when his vehicle crashed near Berriedale Braes in Caithness on 18 September. |
Twenty-eight boxes were driven by a long diversion via Melvich on the north Sutherland coast. | Twenty-eight boxes were driven by a long diversion via Melvich on the north Sutherland coast. |
Highland Council also had to handle four packs, or boxes, of postal votes which had been handed into polling places and required a process of verification, including the checking of voters' signatures. | Highland Council also had to handle four packs, or boxes, of postal votes which had been handed into polling places and required a process of verification, including the checking of voters' signatures. |
At 08:15 on 19 September, the count was declared as 87,739 for "No" and 78,069 "Yes". | At 08:15 on 19 September, the count was declared as 87,739 for "No" and 78,069 "Yes". |
The incident at Dingwall is the latest to involve allegations about the counting of votes. | The incident at Dingwall is the latest to involve allegations about the counting of votes. |
The chief counting officer has defended the conduct of the Scottish referendum after allegations of vote rigging. | The chief counting officer has defended the conduct of the Scottish referendum after allegations of vote rigging. |
More than 90,000 people had signed an online petition demanding "a revote counted by impartial international parties". | |
In a statement, the chief counting officer said all counts "were properly conducted and scrutinised". | In a statement, the chief counting officer said all counts "were properly conducted and scrutinised". |
Ten votes in Glasgow are also being investigated over a separate claim of multiple voting. | Ten votes in Glasgow are also being investigated over a separate claim of multiple voting. |
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