NO APOLOGY FOR SNP VISITING SCHOOL

VICE convener Angus Graham has called for guidelines to prevent political parties "disrupting" classes, following a clash with SNP delegates during a visit to a school.

Last week Mr Graham was angry to find the SNP prospective parliamentary candidate - Anne Lorne Gillies - being shown around Back School which is plagued by leaks in its roof.

Coll councillor Alasdair Nicholson who made the invitation said that the political party's tour around the school had "overlapped" with a visit by Council officials.

Mr Graham said: "On arrival I found a delegation from the SNP wandering around the school and when asked what the purpose of the delegation was, no-one seemed very sure."

He described the SNP using the situation at Back School as means of "publicity."

But Mr Nicholson defended his action and said the offer was open to other political parties.

"I think that there was a gross over-reaction of the situation and I am not going to apologise for inviting them," he stated.

"I am pleased that the party expressed an interest in coming along to the school and seeing the situation."

He added that the group were accompanied by a senior member of staff at all times.

Original article Stornoway Gazette Mar 03 1997.