CLAIMS THAT Kirkcaldy’s esplanade resembles “the backside of an elephant” have been strongly refuted by the area’s MSP and town centre manager.

As reported in yester-day’s Courier, Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Christopher Harvie, who has a constituency office in the town, made the statement on his official Holyrood website video.

It is the latest gaffe by the 63-year-old history professor, who was forced to apologise after his description of Lockerbie as a “dump,” in a committee meeting on tourism at Holyrood, led to a political storm.

Kirkcaldy town centre manager Sunil Varu said he was deeply disappointed by Mr Harvie’s comments, in light of the fact that so much was being done to rejuvenate the area.

“No one can deny the Kirkcaldy product needs to improve and, with the correct political will, some serious investment could be poured into the town centre.

“Most seaside towns have turned their backs to the sea but the Kirkcaldy town centre and waterfront masterplan is now seeking to redress that within the economic realities we all face, although the potential cinema, leisure and hotel complex could be built on Charlotte Street car parks overlooking the seafront within a couple of years.

“Talk is cheap, but a strong vision which people can rally round is much more difficult to achieve...

“Furthermore, given his strong views on towns across Scotland, I sincerely hope he will sign up to and become a supporter of the cross party group on town and city centres being set up under the chairmanship of his fellow MSP Marilyn Livingstone— that would be a positive step forward.”

Kirkcaldy MSP Ms Livingstone said, “I am really disappointed that Mr Harvie wants to talk Kirkcaldy down.

“As a Kirkcaldy resident who has lived here all my life, I recognise the hard work constantly going on to rejuvenate the town, by community groups, Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise and Kirkcaldy town centre management.

“I am proud to live in Kirkcaldy, as are many of my constituents, and these kinds of comments are unnecessary and unhelpful.

“The waterfront masterplan is just one of many exciting projects planned for the town and I am proud to be involved in that.”