Race course chief blasts 'political' loss of post

Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 09:24

AN INDEPENDENT councillor, who was a vociferous opponent of controversial development plans for Musselburgh Racecourse, has hit out at the "political" decision to force him out as its chairman.

John Caldwell, who represents Musselburgh East, accused other councillors of bringing the local authority into disrepute by removing him at a meeting yesterday.

The post of chairman will now go to SNP councillor Kenny McLeod, who joined the board along with Councillor Caldwell two years ago. Provost Sheena Richardson will replace him as one of the four directors.

East Lothian Council leader David Berry denied there was any political motivation behind the decision and said the SNP/Liberal Dem-led administration had decided it should take "full responsibility" for the 3.32 million investment in upgrading the racecourse. It now holds all four positions on the board, known as the Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee.

Cllr Caldwell was a vocal opponent of controversial plans to create an all-weather, floodlit track, which were overturned by a public inquiry in 2007. But he said he had worked hard to improve the racecourse since joining the board.

He said in a statement: "I have been removed not for failing to do my best for the racecourse, and help maintain its position as one of the UK's most successful racecourses, but for party political reasons which bring East Lothian Council into disrepute.

"I hope the voters of Musselburgh will remember that their prize asset, the racecourse, has been used for political horse- trading by those anxious to protect their own interests rather than the best interests of the racecourse."

He said Cllr Berry had told him in June he no longer wanted him as chairman, since he felt it should be chaired by someone from the administration.

"It strikes me as strange that in more than two years in the post, my status as an independent councillor has not posed a problem in my role as chairman," he added.

John Prideaux, chairman of the Lothian Racing Syndicate, said it was a "great pity" they had lost Cllr Caldwell.

He said: "John has done a first-class job. He has gained the respect and support of all members of the Lothian Racing Syndicate.

"We have no choice but to accept this decision, but I don't think it is in the best interest of the racecourse."

At the council meeting yesterday, Cllr Berry said that the original appointments had taken into account the strong local feelings about developing the racecourse. The council had felt that including an independent councillor would provide a "greater breadth of community involvement".

However, since the approval of the 3.32m contract for a new outdoor education facility and stable yard, the council administration had decided it should take full responsibility for the project.

The move was passed by the council, despite opposition from Labour and Conservative councillors. Two out of three Lib Dem councillors abstained.