Claim of 'dishonourable conduct'

The Courier, 1 March 1999

The chairman of the north-east Fife constituency Labour Party, Brian Poole, has accused Fife Council Liberal Democrat leader Iain Smith of “acting dishonourably” in his quest for an apology from Fife Council transportation spokeswoman Helen Eadie.

As reported in Saturday’s Courier, Councillor Smith demanded that Councillor Eadie apologise for remarks she made about the decision of east Fife councillors to reject the £50 million Kingask hotel and golf development.

Councillor Eadie had suggested last week in a letter to east area development committee chairman Peter Douglas that the predominantly Lib Dem committee had perhaps predetermined a decision on Kingask as a unit.

These claims were rejected by Mr Douglas and his fellow councillors, including several members who unsuccessfully voted for the development, including the independent councillor Jimmy Braid.

Yesterday Mr Poole said he and other members of north-east Fife Labour Party were “extremely disappointed” with Mr Smith’s approach to the subject.

Mr Poole said, “I was at the full Fife Council meeting on Thursday when the issue was raised by Peter Douglas, and I welcomed his comments backing the professionalism of planners. He made it clear he was casting no doubt on their professionalism throughout the Kingask affair.

“I also welcomed comments from the leader of Fife Council’s administration Christine May, who made it clear the administration was distancing itself from Councillor Eadie’s comments.

“What bothers me is that Councillor Smith did not raise the issue of an apology at Thursday’s meeting. He waited until the next day and spoke to the Press instead. Councillor Eadie was at the meeting in person and yet Councillor Smith did not even speak. I find this most dishonourable on his part, and question his motives.

“It is our concern that in the run-up to the Scottish Parliament and local government elections on May 6 the Lib Dems will treat every issue like this - chasing people up through the newspapers rather than making a point to their face,” he added.