AS EAST Neuk fishermen attempt to overcome their anger and disappointment over the House of Lords report which has ruled out a fuel subsidy for the Scottish fleet, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Ted Brocklebank has blasted the decision.

Chaired by Labour peer, Lord Sewel, it recommended Scottish fishermen should receive no European financial help with rising fuel costs, which many in the East Neuk fear could sound the death knell for the industry.

Mr Brocklebank, former Scottish Tories’ fisheries spokesman, said, “Lord Sewel should be ashamed of himself. As a former Aberdeen councillor, he knows better than most the sacrifices Scottish fishermen have already made in terms of reducing the size of the fleet.”

The Lords committee concluded that it would be “completely” wrong to assist the fishermen given the over capacity in Europe. It also recommended that it should be left to the market to “precipitate exits from the national fleet, notably through fuel prices.