The chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) was criticised last night amid claims he was failing to fight for its future.
Professor Lorne Crerar, whose job as chairman could be axed under plans to scrap the body’s board, said he was fully confident that HIE would continue in its present form.
He issued the statement having had an “absolute reassurance from Scottish Government”, but one north MSP branded the comments “breath-taking” last night.
Prof Crerar said: “The report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review made very clear that HIE will continue to manage and direct dedicated support for economic and community development across the region.
“The review has recognised the outstanding success of HIE. Indeed it is testament to that success that there is to be a South of Scotland Agency to replicate the impact HIE has had for businesses and communities across the very diverse economies of our region.
“There will be changes at board level, with the formation of a new overarching strategic board to oversee the activities of all the enterprise and skills bodies, which of course includes HIE.
“The governance arrangements for HIE and how its board operates has been an important factor in the organisation’s success by ensuring the actions we take are cognisant and reflective of the variety of interests and priorities of our businesses and communities.
“We are in close contact with Scottish Government to ensure that going forward HIE is not in any way diminished and hopefully enhanced, and that the important features of our governance are replicated and not diluted in any new arrangements for the future.”
Tavish Scott, Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland, criticised the remarks.
He said: “Lorne Crerar’s statement today is breath-taking. All the chairmen I’ve known over the past 25 years would have stood up and fought for HIE.”
Mr Scott, the former Scottish Lib Dem leader, gave his backing to the Press and Journal’s “Keep HIE Local” campaign.
“I strongly welcome the P&J’s campaign to retain Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s current structure,” he said.
“The board matters because it is solely responsible for the economic and social development in the area.
“If the government have their way that would be lost and we will become a branch function of the Scottish Enterprise, run from Glasgow.”