Scotland's rural economy secretary has urged the Crofting Commission to issue a public apology to crofters following a damaging debacle over common grazings committees.
The crofting regulator has repeatedly stood by its controversial decisions to sack three committees including Mangersta and Upper Coll in Lewis.
The body which imposed investigating officers to examine the way the grazings were run now faces its own methods being scrutinised.
Fergus Ewing has sought a review of the commission's procedures, it is understood.
Mr Ewing faced commissioners at a private meeting of the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Crofting.
The forum heard a recommendation from the Crofting Commision's outgoing chief executive, Catriona Maclean,that the installed grazings officer, or constable, should step down and village crofters allowed to run their own communal land.
MSP Alasdair Allan praised the "very welcome intervention by Fergus Ewing on an issue that has been hanging over crofting for too long.
“Since the commission removed the grazings committees from office in Mangersta and Upper Coll I have been in close contact with those affected from both villages and sought repeatedly to raise this with Scottish Ministers.
"This episode has caused a great of disruption to the lives of those affected and it is only right that the Crofting Commission issues a full, frank and open apology.
He added: “It has been deeply concerning to see the extent of the breakdown in the relations between crofters and their regulatory body over the past months. There needs to be a line drawn under this issue so everyone can focus their energies on building a better future for crofting.”
The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) also welcomed the move.
SCF’s chair, Fiona Mandeville, said: "It has taken a long battle to get to this point but it is extremely good that it is reported that Mr Ewing has made clear his support to crofters by directing the commissioners to issue a full, unequivocal, public apology for their mistreatment of common grazings committees.
"This whole episode has been badly damaging to individuals, to crofting communities and to crofting itself, so we hope an apology may be the first step in a healing process.
“As the person who seems to be behind the on-
Ms Mandeville continued: “The news that Mr Ewing has instructed government officials to carry out a review is very promising. This situation must be prevented from happening again by modifying the way the commission works.
"It makes no sense at all that the convener was involved in local meetings, and was making personal statements regarding grazing committee business.
"Acting as some sort of maverick lawman is not appropriate.
"The board of the Commission should be, as any board, for strategic direction and governance.
“And as for Kennedy’s imposed, and lawyers say illegal, henchman, Constable Souter, he must be removed from Upper Coll immediately.
"He has no place in crofting, is aggravating bad feeling and is standing in the way of democratic process.”
Fergus Ewing intervenes in crofting row
24 September 2016