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THE Coastal Quarry Local Supporters Network have been attempting a rearguard action this week in the hope of fighting off their image as a Redland mouthpiece.
But as fresh revelations emerged daily it quickly appeared it was a vain battle.
For the Western Isles SNP released evidence that apparently shows Barkers, Redland's public relations consultants, were involved in the announcement of the Lingerbay royalty pay out.
The SNP have produced a faxed copy of the Network's press release sent by Barkers to the group's chairman, Capt. John Archie Mackenzie four days before the organisation publicly announced the £6 million deal. A second fax sent from Stanton Marine, Capt. Bill Macdonald's Birkenhead company, dated five days before the Network's announcement also details the Network's royalty announcement and this too has been made public.
On Tuesday, Network Secretary, Mr Donald Macdonald, of Finsbay, complained the "adverse publicity" had deflected from not only the "success of the Harris Initiative" but from "all the positive aspects connected with it."
He explained: "It has to be emphasised that it is not just a quarry in South Harris that is important but the potential benefits that will flow from the development. The quarry is just a facilitating process."
Mr Macdonald added that the Network had never set out to mislead and had merely put across the facts as they found them.
Attacking anti-quarry campaigners, Mr Macdonald stated: "I have to say in the light of recent events that the group opposed to the quarry is a formidable one, they will pull out every trick in the book to try to put a stop to this development. They are not interested in benefits, the bottom line for them is they do not want the quarry."
An unabashed Network chairman, Capt. John Archie Mackenzie contended that the Network had emerged with its credibility intact and this was the feeling of the people of Harris.
He said there was nothing wrong with speaking to Redland or using Barkers for "administrative work." As far as he was concerned, the Network had done nothing wrong and there was no problem in their having links with Redland or Barkers.
"We have not changed our position, we can still look the people of Harris in the eye. We are not doing anything behind people's back that would damage the people of Harris or ourselves," said Capt. Mackenzie.
However, he conceded that the Network may have been naive in its early days, but now "Redland and Barkers do what we tell them."
Capt. Mackenzie lamented how dirty the debate had become. " I can speak for the whole committee and say we have stuck to the truth all along. And I think people know that, certainly the people of Harris. Someone has shot themselves in the foot," said the Network chairman.
Yesterday in a fresh statement the Network reiterated that Redland are not, and have not been, involved in the Harris Initiative. The deal was negotiated with the Royalty Recipients by the Network.
Said Mr Macdonald: "We have not negotiated monies as a condition of support, most of our supporters supported the Network before the Harris Initiative was publicly known. What we are seeking to do is to highlight the potential benefits that the quarry could bring if the planning consent is granted along with the promotion of jobs, and the Harris people should be allowed to determine their own future on this matter."
The Network secretary continued that they object to politicians courting environmental lobbies seeking to dictate development on Harris. It was possible, the Network believes, for Harris to have a diverse economy and that the "development of coastal quarries" can co-exist with traditional industries and can secure a long term future.
Original article Stornoway Gazette Apr 02 1997.
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