South Lanarkshire

South Lanarkshire was in the news at the weekend.

East Kilbride MP and former deputy leader of South Lanarkshire Council - Michael McCann - was the focus of an article in the Sunday Times - on property development and party donors.

Here's an extract of the piece - written by Jason Allardyce.

"Last year, the Sunday Times disclosed that Labour was at the centre of allegations over links between party donor James Kean and South Lanarkshire councillors, including McCann, after a series of planning decisions in Kean's favour.

Kean gave the East Kilbride Labour campaign £1,260 in 2008, while a company run by his brother and business partner Paul donated £2,000 to Scottish Labour in 2009.

The latest concerns among critics relate to plans to build a superstore and garden centre on the edge of East Kilbride on land owned by Kean Properties."

So far so straightforward - but the article goes on to explain that in recent weeks Michael McCann has made statements opposing a a rival plan by Dawn Developments - to build a supermarket with Asda on land owned by Scottish Enterprise on West Mains Road.

McCann seems to believe the Kean Properties development is the better of the two - which  seems fair enough.

But according to the Sunday Times - he went further and reported the rival bid to Strathclyde Police and Scotland's top civil servant (Sir Peter Housden) - both of whom said they would be taking no action.

McCann's role has drawn criticism from his political rivals - unsurprisingly.

Linda Fabiani - SNP MSP for East Kilbride - said:

"Any elected representative must be scrupulous about declaring interests so that the public can have confidence in all their dealings that relate to their community."

Graham Simpson - a local Conservative councillor - added:

"Questions must be asked if of Mr McCann on why he is taking such a close interest in this matter when a Labour party donor has been so closely associated with it."

Now I don't find it strange that an MP voices their opinion on local issues - that's their job.

But what I do find odd is that a MP should complain to Strathclyde Police and Scotland's top civil servant - what's that all about?

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