Saltire flying again at Montrose beach — but councillor raises red flag about rival's comments
A saltire is once again flying over an Angus beach after a controversial saga on its use appeared to reach a conclusion.
Mr Pinder and Mr Salmond.
- By Graeme Bletcher
- Published in the Courier : 13.07.11
- Published online : 13.07.11 @ 05.34pm
Montrose independent Councillor Mark Salmond was at the Beach Cafe in Montrose on Tuesday to watch the flag being hoisted, alongside business owner Henry Pinder, who first complained about it not being flown.
While the tone of the meeting was one of celebration, Mr Salmond also took the opportunity to hit back at comments made by fellow councillor Paul Valentine, who had claimed his interest in the case was politically motivated.
The corporate services convener said he was "very saddened" by the comments, adding that being patriotic was not something reserved for the SNP.
"I am saddened and disgusted that Councillor Valentine is yet again playing petty politics," Mr Salmond said. "To imply my motivation is to try and position myself as a patriot, so when the election comes I look like a friend of the nationalist, is a total insult to the electorate of Montrose and he should apologise for this totally disgraceful remark.
"Councillor Valentine is saying that if you do not vote SNP then you must be unpatriotic. I would remind him that Scotland's national flag belongs to all the Scottish people, not just the SNP. I do not have to try and position myself as a patriot because I am very proud to be Scottish and it is very sad that I should have to defend myself in this way.
"My reasons for being an independent councillor is because I believe that politics have no place in local government. This stunt by Councillor Valentine proves my point perfectly."
'Unfair'
Mr Salmond said his only motive was to help Mr Pinder, who was making a "responsible request" to have a saltire flown and was being "treated unfairly."
The issue was resolved quickly, after the cafe owner offered the council his own flag to fly on the pole outside his premises. While his initial offer was rebuffed due to a perceived lack of space, the council realised its mistake and moved to rectify the issue.
Angus Council flies saltires in Montrose, one above the Ball House, one outside the Town Hall and the newly positioned one at the beach.
The flag saga has also sparked criticism of the coalition Angus Alliance by former Forfar councillor Ron Scrimgeour, who said the handling of the situation has been "shameful".
He said, "It is ridiculous that it takes the assistant chief executive spurred on by a senior member of the ruling party in Angus Council for there to be an outbreak of common sense.
"The decision to redress the error or oversight could have been made by a single phone call or email and yet in the local government system that operates in Angus it takes the second most highly paid official to bow to pressure from an embarrassing story in The Courier for appropriate action to be taken."
07.14pm - 13.07.2011 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
Why did Councilor Salmond, vote, just a few short years ago to remove the Saltire from all council buildings? Now with elections on the horizon, he loves the Cross of St Andrews. Councilor Valentine is spot on here, and its not to Mr Salmond's liking.
09.45am - 14.07.2011 Mike Stirling - Forfar, Scotland, nuclear free with SNP Report This
We should all be proud of our national flag, I fly the Saltire and the Lion Rampant.
10.05am - 14.07.2011 Bill W - Dundee, UK Report This
Why can't this councillor support the flying of the saltire? If anything, this guy has exposed the SNP respondees here, and underline their tendency to claim the saltire as theirs and theirs alone. Newsflash: The saltire belongs to ALL Scots, not a minority.
01.22pm - 14.07.2011 Mr Wallace - Montrose, Angus Report This
Stop greet'in about a flag and go do something more worthwhile like viewing budgets for front line care. Im going home to stick up a flag pole.......Guess what im putting on it?
05.47pm - 14.07.2011 ST - Dundee, Scotland Report This
My 2yd saltire is Pantone 280. As long as it is Pantone 280 who cares?
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