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SNP slams Labour’s “ludicrous” Barra claim   11/1/11

 

 

 

 

MSP Alasdair Allan has hit out at the “ludicrous claims” by Labour candidate Donald Crichton regarding the MSP’s opposition to the Barra and East Mingulay Marine SAC.

 

Mr Allan said: "People in Barra don't want this designation, which serves no useful purpose and which threatens to complicate life for the whole island economy.

 

"Although the previous Labour Executive was seemingly designation-mad, I had hoped labour would nonetheless now have something constructive to say about this issue.”

 

Her highlighted: “I have been publicly opposing this designation for over two years now, and have raised it with two Environment Ministers, arranging a video conference between islanders and the minister and travelled to Brussels to lobby the European Commission directly in February 2009.

 

“I have raised the issue in parliament a number of times, corresponded with the government on 11 separate occasions and with SNH on four, calling successfully for the Scottish Government to measure and report on the economic impact of designation, and I made an uncompromising response to the consultation.

 

Mr Allan added: “Rather than seeking to devote every ounce of his energy to misrepresenting me, it would be nice if the Labour candidate could turn at least some of his attention to joining those of us working to oppose the designation itself.”