An under-fire Perthshire councillor has blamed elements of the press for the row that has seen him heavily criticised by local businesses and retailers.
Dennis Melloy branded a number of businesses “lazy” earlier this month, claiming they rely too much on Perth and Kinross Council to keep the streets free from the grip of winter.
The Strathearn councillor, who is himself a businessman, made a plea to the media at a meeting of the community safety committee to carry his call to action to the business community.
In a statement to Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, which has since described his comments as “unjust” and demanded an apology, he has claimed to have been misrepresented.
In the statement he tells chief executive Vicki Unite that “it was never my intention to attack businesses in Perth and Kinross,” but adds that, “I do, however, stand by my comments.”
Earlier this month he claimed retailers only had themselves to blame if customers were unable to visit their shops if their entrances were hampered by snow and ice.
The comments were made as retailers struggled through one of the worst trading periods on record and as heavy snow brought large parts of Perth and Kinross to a standstill.
He said, “They expect the council to do it, when if they got off their backsides and got their shop-fronts clear, then they might get people through their door.”
On Tuesday the Tory leader on the council, Alexander Stewart, attempted to act as peacemaker.Conservative groupHe said, “I would like to apologise that the current situation has arisen and would assure you that the sentiments expressed by Councillor Dennis Melloy do not reflect the views of the members of the Conservative group on Perth and Kinross Council.”
Mr Melloy has now responded with a letter to the chamber that appears to attempt to shift the blame and stops short of an apology.
In the letter which Mr Melloy forwarded to us he wrote, “I am sorry that the reporting by the press of my comments at the recent community safety committee of Perth and Kinross Council caused your members concern.
“When I spoke in committee it was in relation to a paper before us when we were discussing how well community offenders had helped to clear snow around Perth and Kinross.”
He added, “In congratulating them on their efforts, I highlighted the issue of some shopkeepers and businesses not all who do not clear the pavements in front of their premises of snow and ice to allow customers to shop safely.”
Mr Melloy claimed he had been misrepresented, but said, “I do however stand by my comments. As a retailer and businessman myself, I am very aware of the difficulties we all face in these hard times.
“As you know the council has to make very hard decisions, so it is up to us all to do what we can to help attract more business into our premises.
“It was never my intention to attack businesses in Perth and Kinross, but merely to highlight the issue where we can all make a difference. The Chamber of Commerce can help in leading the way forward.”
The issue is likely to be on the agenda when the chamber board meets on Monday.