Fears for the future of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have been reignited after the Scottish Government could not say if it would hire a new chief executive for the agency.
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant MSP asked SNP minister Keith Brown when he intended to re-advertise the post, which has been vacant since August.
But the cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work could only say that he would get back to Ms Grant “as soon as possible” – despite already having taken two weeks to respond.
Ms Grant said the response had reinforced her fears that the Scottish Government intends to centralise HIE.
A review of Scotland’s enterprise agencies has already recommended setting-up a new board to oversee the operations of all Scotland’s economic development bodies – a move critics suggest will shift decision making from the Highlands to Edinburgh.
Ms Grant said: “This tells me one of two things – that it’s either such a half-baked plan and that they don’t know what they are doing, or that they are not being up front and open and are trying to hide the enormity of what lies ahead for HIE.
“Given the outrage expressed from throughout the Highlands and Islands, it is deeply concerning that the government waits until the deadline for answer before admitting they don’t have the answer.
“Either they really do not have a clue what they are doing or they are trying to hide what they are doing – neither is clear.”
Former HIE chief Alex Paterson announced he was leaving the economic development agency in June, with acting head Charlotte Wright holding the post since August.
It is unclear when the Scottish Government will move to appoint a full-time successor.
Ms Grant added: “This issue cannot simply be swept under the carpet in the hope that it will go away.
“It is far too important for our communities in the Highlands and Islands, and for the staff of HIE who deserve to know what the plans are going forward.”
A spokesman for HIE confirmed they were waiting to be told “when we will be to proceed” with recruiting a permanent chief executive.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman denied they plan to centralise the agency.
She said: “As we have made clear in the phase one report of the Enterprise and Skills review, published on October 25, HIE will continue to exist and we will work with key stakeholders and the current board as we develop our plans to go forward.”