David Campbell walked out of Crofting Commission meeting in protest
Crofting commissioner walks out of meeting in protest
12 December 2016
More controversy has engulfed the Crofting Commission after appointed member, David Campbell, walked out of its board meeting after his colleagues refused to hold the discussion in public.
The special meeting was urgently called by convenor Colin Kennedy who is resisting the Crofting Commission’s call for him to quit.
Mr Kennedy wants the commission to reverse their request for his resignation made in what the body called a “special” meeting immediately after Mr Kennedy stormed out of an official forum.
The Scottish Government had ordered the commission to apologise for its chaotic and destructive management which led it to sack grazing committees in Lewis and Lochaber.
Mr Kennedy is yet to follow that instruction and has failed to apologise.
However, some doubt arose over the lawfulness of the commission holding a special meeting without due notice, a move which could invalidate any decisions made, including the call for Mr Kennedy’s departure.
Eleven weeks on and interim chief executive Bill Barron now insists there was no second meeting with its “special” status being redefined as the “continuation of the scheduled board meeting.”
Mr Barron said “any consequences” from this” will be raised at their board meeting in Inverness on Wednesday
Adding to the confusion, the commission has nevertheless drawn up minutes for September’s special meeting for approval on Wednesday.
Mr Kennedy previously stated he, as convenor, declared the September meeting formally closed.
The “continuation” or special meeting did not comply with the commission’s own rules and it had no authority to hold it, he suggested at the time.
Bill Barron said commissioners “reaffirmed the importance of working together effectively in the final months of their terms.”
He added: “The board also discussed the status of the meeting held in Brora in September and how to move forward.
“The board decided that there was one meeting in Brora which took place in two valid parts, the meeting previously referred to as a special meeting being a continuation of the scheduled board meeting.
Crofting Commission convenor Colin Kennedy refuses to quit