By Mike Donachie

A PERTHSHIRE councillor insisted yesterday he was not being racist when he used the word “nigger” during discussions at a council committee.

Bridge of Earn’s councillor Alan Jack said he had no need to apologise after suggesting national railways agency Network Rail might be “the nigger in the woodpile.”

The Tory member insisted he is in no way prejudiced against racial minorities, saying he had used the term—which dates back at least 150 years—to describe the organisation as “difficult”.

While obviously not politically correct, the phrase—according to Tory group leader Sandy Bushby— who has studied American history—originally referred to a piece of mach-inery in a sawmill which, if broken off, would destroy blades used to cut logs.

Since then, society has come to treat one word of the phrase, famously described as “the N-word” during the OJ Simpson trial, as unacceptable, but Mr Jack said that, in context, no offence should be taken.

He explained, “I don’t recall saying it, but I’ve been told I had by some, although some people don’t recall it.

“If I had said it, there is no problem. If I had been referring to an individual I would be giving an apology, but I was referring to a situation. It shou-ldn’t be taken out of context.”

The discussion, at the enterprise and infrastructure committee, centred on Perth and Kinross Council’s plans for Perth harbour, where they hope to see more freight brought in and distributed via a possible rail link.

Mr Jack added, “I was applauding the plans for the harbour because I think they’re the best thing since sliced bread.

“I’ve been involved in working on this for five years and I was delighted to see it moving forward.

“But what I was complaining about was how we are going to get on with Network Rail, because they’re not always famous communicators.”

Aware that reports of the meeting might criticise him, Mr Jack decla-red, “I am not and never have been a racist.”

He said, “We’ve got to get used to living with each other and there’s still too much racism around, even in this day and age.

“For example, I welcome migrant workers coming to this area from eastern Europe because we need them. We need to work together with all races, creeds and colours.”

In a related issue, Mr Jack said he had spoken to the council secretary and confirmed he did not breach the councillors’ code of conduct by using the phrase.

In addition, at Wednesday’s committee meeting none of the councillors present expressed any objection to Mr Jack’s comment.