Salmond row

The story on the opening of Carnegie Primary School (your report, 18 August) was based on a Labour Party press release which bore no relationship to the reality of what was a very brief exchange between the First Minister and Thomas Docherty MP. I was in the room along with guests and senior council officers and nothing untoward happened, other than Mr Docherty’s approach, which was totally inappropriate given that the focus of the visit was making children feel really proud of their new school. If anything, it was Mr Docherty’s inappropriate approach to Mr Salmond that was aggressive and the First Minister’s response was a model of restraint.

Mr Docherty’s childish behaviour was questionable in raising a political issue at the opening of a new school, which was a day for the proud pupils, parents and teachers. Mr Docherty then left and didn’t even have the good grace to stay to share the day with the children. These actions will be seen by many of his constituents as being not only juvenile and inappropriate but wholly crass and opportunistic.

(Cllr) Douglas Chapman (SNP)

Chair of Fife Council’s Education & Children’s Services Committee

Pitbauchlie Bank

Dunfermline