COUNCILLORS have hit back after a resident claimed that his public questions at area committee meetings were going unanswered.

David Moncrieff claimed “somebody is telling lies” during a debate at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee on Wednesday, February 28.

A council clerk insisted Mr Moncreiff’s questions had been answered, prompting a pledge from the committee’s chair, Councillor Garret Corner (Conservative, Mid Argyll), to look into the matter.

Councillors Robin Currie (Liberal Democrat, Kintyre and the Islands) and John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre), both hit back at Mr Moncreiff’s accusation, with Cllr Armour branding the claim “totally unacceptable”.

Mr Moncrieff, who raised another question concerning school transport during public question time, said: “I have been here for the last three or four meetings. I have asked questions and had no significant answers.

“It is public question time, but you would expect to ask questions. What is more important is getting answers.

“Last time I was here it was Councillor Currie who was chairing the meeting. I asked him about expenses and I have had no answers.

“I have asked about reportable health and safety incidents over the last three years and had no answers. One of the answers I have had was that my question has already been dealt with.

“I then asked them to show me how it has been dealt with. Nothing has been dealt with. Saying something has been dealt with does not mean it has been dealt with.”

Clerk Shona Barton said: “At the last meeting you asked what answers have been provided. I did some investigation with customer services, who routinely engage with you, and they confirmed you have received answers.”

Mr Moncrieff responded: “I even asked Councillor Currie to his fact to explain his expenses for the COSLA conference [in February 2022].”

Ms Barton then said: “Mr Moncrieff has submitted a freedom of information request, and that has been answered on a number of occasions.

After a further claim from Mr Moncrieff that he had not received any answers, Councillor Corner said he would look into the matter.

Mr Moncrieff then said: “Somebody is telling lies.”

Councillor Currie said: “I know staff members have spent days going over the questions asked. As far as I understand it, and you said it yourself at one of the previous meetings, everything is fine.”

Mr Moncrieff then laughed loudly before Councillor Currie continued: “That answer has been given to you. Just because you do not like the answer given is not to say you have not been given an answer. You have been given an answer – that is it.”

Councillor Armour added: “I take exception to our council staff being called liars. You are perfectly entitled to ask questions, and the chair he has said he will look into this and you will get answers.

“You might not like them, but you will get an answer. But please stop coming to these meetings and abusing our staff. It is totally unacceptable.”