The hearing at the Municipal Chambers in Dumfries was told the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) felt Wood had created a “negative narrative” around the chief executive and refuted claims the SCS was being used to silence councillors.
“The framework is not designed to preclude proper scrutiny of performance,” said Angela Glen, representing the ESC.
She said his criticism could have been made “in private and via the proper channels”.
Roberts told the hearing the she had acted quickly and within established procedures to ensure the council avoided a “significant service failure”.
“We had a matter of days to be able to secure services,” she said.
She said Wood’s comments in his article and subsequent interviews had left her feeling “disappointed, frustrated and undermined”.
“I felt that the respondent was questioning my professionalism, undermining my authority and suggesting I was not following due process,” she said.
Roberts told the hearing that had an impact on her own well-being and her family and had been “very demoralising” for herself and other staff.
An impact statement said it had affected her confidence in her role and she felt her “integrity, honesty and character” had been questioned.