Elect the chairman Scott says

SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott has today (Thursday) voiced his objection to government plans to appoint the chairman of the new Crofting Commission.

Six crofters from across the Highlands and Islands, including Kathleen Sinclair from Scousburgh, were last month elected to represent crofting interests.

They joined three government appointees to form the nine-strong Crofting Commission which replace the Crofters Commission on 1 April.

The Scottish government has now said they wish to appoint the chair of the agency.

Mr Scott said: “What’s the point of having elections to select the members of the Crofting Commission if the SNP have already decided the chairman is going to be one of their own? 

“I will be raising this in parliament and awaiting with interest the Scottish government’s justification for this typically domineering decision to interfere.

“Kathleen Sinclair won the Shetland crofters’ vote to be the industry’s representative on the Crofting Commission. I have no doubt Kathleen and her fellow commissioners are well able to choose any actively competent person from within their ranks who would command the confidence of the crofting community.”