Old foes swap angry accusations in ferry row 4/3/12
A blistering row between two old political foes will provide the backdrop to Western Isles Council’s final transport committee meeting before the local authority elections.
The fur has been flying since former Labour councillor Ronnie Mackinnon fiercely accused Western Isles transport chief, SNP councillor Donald Manford, of undermining attempts to secure a better ferry service to South Uist.
Despite being a high profile contentious issue, the crucial Scottish Ferries Review-
Annoyed slanders point out the present service only operates four days a week and says it is the worst lifeline ferry service in Scotland. Changing the destination port from Oban to Mallaig promises an economic boost, support jobs and would help regenerate the local community.
Ronnie Mackinnon, a prospective council candidate, accused Mr Manford of acting behind the community’s back and hit out at his transport committee which allegedly failed to pass on the strong demand for a Mallaig ferry.
Mr Mackinnon had said: “If members of the public can't rely on elected Councillors to get our message to the Scottish Government then what hope do we have in succeeding, in what has been an endless battle for a service that our community was promised 10 years ago.”
A furious Mr Manford told Mr Mackinnon: “Inexplicably for someone who publicly claims to support this service, it is regrettably you who has opposed solid opportunities to have the service introduced.”
Mr Manford also said: “I am saddened by Mr MacKinnon’s recent comments. His accusations would be more credible were he to explain why, when he was a councillor, he voted against a recommendation to introduce the service.”
Transport councillors will debate the ferry controversy later this week and Mr Manford said he would lodge a motion calling for a Mallaig service.
In a challenge to Mr Mackinnon’s claims, a document summarising the council’s actions regarding a proposed Mallaig route over the years has been hurriedly drawn up for the meeting.