From Councillor to Controversy: SNP's Aileen Orr Suspended Amid Drug Charges

In a shocking turn of events, Aileen Orr, a 70-year-old councillor representing the Scottish Borders and a longstanding member of the SNP, has been suspended from her party after being charged with drug-related offences. The suspension follows a police investigation into a cannabis farm discovered at a property near Paxton, Berwickshire, in February of the previous year. Orr’s son, Duncan, age 29, was also implicated, leading to both being arrested and charged.

Orr has vehemently denied the accusations, claiming that she had no knowledge of the cannabis cultivation on her property and asserting her innocence regarding any criminal activity. In her public statement, Orr expressed her disappointment at the party’s decision, highlighting her 55-year loyalty to the SNP and noting that she had adhered to all internal party processes. Despite the serious allegations and the media coverage surrounding them, she plans to continue serving as an independent representative for the East Berwickshire ward.

The situation escalated when police responded to a report of suspicious activity on the property on February 3, 2024, finding cannabis worth an estimated £500,000 after the alleged culprits had abandoned the scene. Orr had previously described her distress during the incident, revealing that she felt threatened by two men banging on the window, leading her to contact police.

Orr’s connection to Scottish politics includes serving as an adviser to former Scottish government minister Michael Russell from 2007 to 2011. While discussing her ongoing commitment to public service, Orr also relayed her traumatic experience of feeling unsafe, emphasizing the need for police response.

As the investigation proceeds, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirms they are handling the case concerning both Orr and her son. The community remains watchful as facts unfold in what has become a significant political scandal.