A youth parliamentarian has condemned a councillor’s claims that head teachers ‘cover up’ drug dealing in schools.

Conservative group leader Cllr Tom Marshall made the claim at the last full council meeting but Aaran McDonald, MSYP for Kilwinning, Irvine and Stevenston condemned the ‘irresponsible’ comments which he says without evidence will only put additional stigma on young people in North Ayrshire.

The 17-year-old Kilwinning Academy pupil said: “When I saw the councillor’s comments my first reaction was to look for his evidence and not unsurprisingly, I found little to back up his remarks.

“Too often Young People find themselves tarred with a brush due the actions of one or two and we have been working hard to over come these false stigmas which hurt our young people and our communities and Councillor Marshall’s comments simply makes things worse.

“I call on Councillor Marshall to either produce his evidence – which must be factual and well researched and not hearsay – or reflect and apologies for any hurt he may have caused to our young people or our amazing and dedicated Head-Teachers. It is irresponsible and dangerous for such senior elected official to make such brazen and inflammatory remarks without any proof or evidence.”