THE council’s new Youth Champion has slammed the controversial named persons scheme.

Councillor Peter McNamara last week echoed criticism from North Ayrshire’s only Conservative councillor at the full council meeting on Wednesday, September 14.

The issue arose following a question by Councillor Tom Marshall about the categories of data held by North Ayrshire Council on children and young people and who it is shared with.

This was after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Scottish Government scheme was incompatible with the right to a private and family right and “not within the competence of the Scottish Parliament”.

An extensive response was issued which revealed non-sensitive information (demographics, name and contacts) and would only be shared on a “need to know” basis from parents.

Sensitive data is held within schools and includes information on looked after/accommodated children, children on the child protection register and medical information.

Critics argue that the named person scheme would allow state officials - such as teachers or health visitors - to interfere in family life.

However, supporters insist it will help ensure more cases of child abuse and neglect are uncovered.

Councillor Marshall compared the scheme to George Orwell’s “totalitarian” universe in the book 1984.

This drew derision from the SNP councillors and members of the public, one of which said “absolute nonsense”.

Responding to a supplementary question from Councillor Marshall about data safety, Councillor McNamara said: “They are safe in the knowledge that their data won’t be shared.

“The named person scheme is an absolute shambles, it’s caused nothing but confusion for parents and I believe the SNP should be ashamed of themselves for continuing with this policy.

“It’s absolutely appalling.”