No point-scoring over broadband

Sir, - Your correspondent, Mr Donaghy, seems confused about the issues surrounding the provision of broadband in rural Perthshire.

Neither I, nor Murdo

Fraser have attempted to score political points and it is disappointing Mr Donaghy feels this is the case.

Neither I, nor Murdo Fraser blamed Councillor Kate Howie or suggested that she is personally culpable.

I would not entertain that suggestion.

The only suggestion as to that comes from Mr Donaghy himself.

It was the SNP-led, strategic policy and resources committee of Perth and Kinross Council that decided there would be no further funding from the council to HPCP for broadband provision.

In addition it was decided there would be no further funding from Community Broadband Scotland for HPCP and the council would no longer consider any funding for HPCP unless “an independent due diligence exercise be undertaken by an external consultant immediately”.

The council stated it would fund HPCP to the tune of £5,000 contingent on the undertaking of the due diligence exercise.

This offer was not accepted by HPCP.

The council stated it would look at alternative providers of rural broadband in Highland Perthshire.

I am surprised that Mr Donaghy is not curious about this course of action and I would suggest that as the council has refused an FOI request by The Courier, perhaps Mr Donaghy should ask HPCP itself for an explanation and then share that with the rest of us. Cllr Ian Campbell. Highland Perthshire, Ward, Perth and Kinross Council.

One bit of good news is that many radicals who are disenchanted with the SNP’s faux socialism will see Mr Corbyn’s Labour as the “real deal” and defect

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