Coghill’s remarks spark backlash
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LANDWARD Caithness councillor Robert Coghill has been accused of making "highly misleading" claims and living in "a council bubble".
The criticism was made by SNP MSP Rob Gibson who took issue with a letter Mr Coghill wrote to the John O’Groat Journal on Friday in which he responded to comments made by SNP Landward Caithness candidate Alex MacLeod.
But Mr Coghill yesterday defended his remarks and said the SNP is "grasping at straws".
According to the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP, Mr Coghill – an independent councillor – claimed credit for enterprise zone status being awarded to Scrabster harbour.
Mr Gibson further claimed the councillor took credit for the planned improvement to the Berriedale Braes which he said is "wholly the responsibility of the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland". The MSP urged Mr Gibson to "admit his error".
"Robert Coghill is obviously feeling the heat. He has launched a highly misleading attack in the Groat, and has confirmed to landward voters that he does indeed live in a council bubble.
"For the sake of his re-election prospects, I urge him to step out of that bubble for a second, look at the facts, and admit his error," said Mr Gibson.
"Enterprise zone status for Scrabster is a key achievement of the SNP Government.
"However, praise really lies with Willie Calder and the Scrabster Harbour Trust for their vision. For Mr Coghill to crassly take credit for Scrabster’s success will not go down well with those involved.
"Mr Coghill appears to be sticking his fingers in his ears and pretending that the Lib Dem/Labour/independent administration he supported was behind the curve as far as Caithness is concerned."
SNP Landward candidate Alex MacLeod added: "I’m keeping my message positive going into May 3. It is a shame that Robert Coghill cannot do the same."
Responding to the criticism, Mr Coghill stressed he was replying to remarks made about the Highland Council by Mr MacLeod.
"He gave the impression that everything was a mess at the Highland Council and the SNP would sort it out but many positive things have been done by the council," he said.
Mr Coghill stressed the local authority played a part in getting enterprise status at Scrabster and was one of the bodies involved in the Berriedale Braes project.
He said the local authority acquired the funding for a feasibility study at Berriedale which was carried out last year.
Mr Coghill also pointed out the council helped to get investment of around £100 million in Caithness through the development at Scrabster, the new Wick schools, the new council offices in Wick and the redevelopment at John O’Groats.
"This is not about an individual taking credit but about the Highland Council administration helping to get things done. My record shows I have never been in a bubble. I have been as vocal as anyone on Highland Council and can stick my head above the parapet. The SNP are grasping at straws with this attack," Mr Coghill told the
Caithness Courier.
"The SNP has to look at the state of the A9 road from Latheron to Scrabster and see who is sitting in a bubble."
