MP Benn pops into local Labour meeting in Lerwick

HIGH profile MP Hilary Benn made a surprise visit to the local Labour Party’s latest meeting this week to discuss a number of topics, ranging from Brexit and the SNP to Syria and climate change.

The Leeds Central member, who served in the UK government cabinet between 2003 and 2010, was in the isles on holiday when he appeared at the private meeting in Lerwick on Tuesday.

Shetland Labour secretary Gordon Thomson said Benn called the prospect of a hard Brexit “utterly disastrous”, while he thought the SNP had now reached its peak.

Thomson added that Benn was interested in seeing more powers devolved to local councils and communities, while he was keen to hear about the Scottish Government’s Islands Bill and island-proofing legislation.