GLASGOW council leader Gordon Matheson has defended the decision to scrap plans for a radical redesign of George Square.

And he has insisted he was right to listen to the views of the public, who were up in arms at the plan.

Earlier this week Mr Matheson was reported to Scotland's ethics watchdog, the Standards Commission, over his handling of the £15million design competition.

He is accused of misconduct and interfering in a legally binding procurement process, improper bias, attempted staff coercion and of trying to steer the contest in favour of his preferred design.

The SNP group on the city council has now asked the council's internal audit department to investigate the process.

Mr Matheson announced the planned redesign of the square was being scrapped just minutes after a panel of judges announced a scheme by Glasgow architect John McAslan had won the competition.

However he denied any wrongdoing and refused to apologise for any aspect of the design competition.

He said: "I would have apologised if we had driven on with the decision to radically redesign George Square even if the people of Glasgow had said they didn't want that.

"There was nothing remotely wrong about any aspect of the competition. A complaint has been submitted, but quite often that is because people don't like the result that came out of it.

"I am entirely convinced the process was entirely robust. I am confident and relaxed about this.

"I completely refute any suggestion that EU procurement law was not followed fully in this process.

"The council decided there was no consensus in favour of a radical redesign of George Square, but that only became apparent once the six designs were known.

"We took our decision on the basis of the views of the people of Glasgow. I am not embarrassed about that.

"The Commission will have its investigation and I am entirely confident that I will be cleared of any impropriety.

"Some people are disappointed the council decided not to award the contract but we took a view in the interests of the people of Glasgow."

Mr Matheson said he was confident he would not be found guilty of any wrongdoing and would not have to resign as council leader.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk