Dema chairman 'quit over bid to oust him'

THE businessman who quit as chairman of Edinburgh's tourism body in a row over bail-out plans for The Gathering has revealed he resigned after discovering council chiefs were trying to replace him.

Norman Springford, chairman of Apex Hotels, told MSPs he decided to leave his post with Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance (Dema) last November when he saw a letter which the council's city development leader Councillor Tom Buchanan was to issue, offering the chairmanship to someone else.

But Mr Springford said he believed Cllr Buchanan to be "an honourable man" who was not acting on his own initiative.

Weeks earlier, the council had put out a press release saying Dema would take over responsibility for debts owed by The Gathering 2009 Ltd, the company which had organised the loss-making two-day clan event.

Mr Springford had not been involved in any such agreement and after the release was issued he made clear Dema would not accept responsibility for the debts, which ran to 300,000. The move was also vetoed by council leader Jenny Dawe.

Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's audit committee, which is investigating The Gathering, Mr Springford said Cllr Buchanan had warned him soon afterwards that deputy council leader Steve Cardownie was "on the lookout out for you".

Mr Springford said: "I think he (Cllr Cardownie] was annoyed that I had said Dema would not pick up that liability."

But he said when he did speak to Cllr Cardownie they had exchanged pleasantries.

Mr Springford said Cllr Buchanan had later said the letter - to Marcia Campbell, then of Standard Life - had been intended as suggesting she might take over at a later date. But Mr Springford said: "The letter was crystal clear. It was an immediate appointment."

He said he had always seen his post as an interim one, but he was "disappointed" when he was to be replaced. He said: "There was no discussion and suddenly a letter was being issued, removing me."

Committee convener Hugh Henry said: "I find it outrageous. They are doing something behind your back because you won't play along with whatever game is being played." Mr Springford replied: "I think you are spot on."

Cllr Cardownie and Cllr Dawe give evidence next week.