“SNP ARE PLAYING POLITICS WITH PITTENWEEM” – CAMPBELL

Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead MSP is playing politics with Pittenweem says Lib Dem MP for North East Fife Sir Menzies Campbell.

Commenting on the launch of a consultation document on the Scottish fishing industry today, local MP Sir Menzies Campbell accused Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead of playing politics with Pittenweem.

Sir Menzies said, “I met with senior representatives of the FMA (Fisherman’s Mutual Association) on the 17th April at Pittenweem and thereafter I wrote to Richard Lochhead on 23rd April drawing attention to the plight of fishermen at Pittenweem who could not afford to go to sea because of the price of oil. I asked what proposals he had for the future of the fishing industry.

“I have only had a formal acknowledgement of my letter and no adequate reply. Today he is visiting Pittenweem and making announcements about the fishing industry.

“He chose not to tell either the constituency MP or MSP that he intended to do so. This is a breach of the Ministerial Code and serious discourtesy. SNP Ministers don’t know how to behave. This is not the first time they have failed to observe proper practise when visiting North East Fife. Fishing in Scotland, and in North East Fife in particular is far too important to be treated in this partisan way. After Mr Lochhead’s caravan has moved on, Pittenweem will need more than Ministerial photo opportunities,” concluded Sir Menzies.

The Liberal Democrat Constituency MSP for North East Fife, Iain Smith raised this matter in the Scottish Parliament today as a point of order. Mr Smith said, “Whilst I welcome Mr Lochhead’s recognition of the importance of the village based fishing industry and of Pittenweem in particular, I am deeply concerned at yet another example of discourtesy to this Parliament and its Members by a Government Minister.

“Surely it is a serious discourtesy to the Parliament and the many members who represent fishing communities that Mr Lochhead is making an important announcement of Government fishing policies in Pittenweem and not in Parliament. To the Press and not to the Parliament,” concluded Mr Smith

ENDS