LOCAL MP Mike Weir has hit out over alleged interference by the government over the post office closure consultation process.
The SNP politician, who is the party's Postal Affairs spokesperson, has condemned Labour after receiving the copy of a letter sent by Post Office Limited which stated that the Westminster Government had asked for a "freeze" on "highly sensitive" clos
ures pending the local elections in England.
The letter goes on to say that the consultation processes in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Central Scotland will be delayed for four weeks after Post Office Ltd's proposals had to be revisited.
Commenting on the letter, Mr Weir said:
"From the beginning this consultation process has been deeply flawed, and now it is in complete disarray.
"To explicitly demand a freeze on the consultation process in England and Wales shows Labour are only concerned about the ballot box, not the post box.
"This issue is far too serious to be treated with this kind of cynicism, and the whole process, right across the network, should now be suspended.
"The Minister must also explain when he took the decision to defer the consultation process. We have always known that the English local and municipal elections were going to take place next May, why was this not considered before the original consultation programme was announced?
"This interference by the UK Government shows what a complete sham this process has been. Local communities and authorities must have a fair chance to challenge the proposals over the future of this essential local service," he added.
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