Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil has attacked the British Red Cross for axing event first aid cover in the islands.
Mr MacNeil said islanders had been “badly let down” by the humanitarian organisation, which has a fund raising shop in Stornoway on Lewis.
He said the Red Cross was withdrawing first aid cover from a remote, isolated, rural island community “without discussion or apparent care for the consequences.”
“These are the sort of communities the Red Cross should pride itself in supporting,” said the SNP MP, who is chair of the influential House of Commons International Trade Committee.
Mr MacNeil wrote to the charity following representations made to him from Red Cross volunteers who discovered that this service would no longer be provided in the Outer Hebrides.
“It is very disappointing that the British Red Cross have taken the decision to withdraw the event first aid service in the Western Isles. This decision was taken without prior consultation with the Red Cross volunteers or event organisers in the Western Isles,” said Mr MacNeil.
“The volunteers feel that they and the people of the Western Isles, who so generously support the Red Cross, have been treated badly by the Red Cross.
“It is concerning that if events go ahead without first aid provision there could be very negative consequences.
“Red Cross have withdrawn this provision from a remote, isolated, rural island community which was part of the successful North of Scotland area, without discussion or apparent care for the consequences. These are the sort of communities the Red Cross should pride itself in supporting.
“Volunteers, whilst bitterly disappointed with the attitude of the British Red Cross, are nevertheless looking positively to the future. They are currently engaged in discussion with another first aid provider and all Western Isles event organisers will be informed if a successful outcome is achieved.”
The Red Cross had not
provided a comment last night.