The leader of the Conservative group on Perth and Kinross Council has moved to distance the party from comments accusing local businesses of laziness.
Alexander Stewart has been forced to act as peacemaker after Tory colleague Dennis Melloy made the astonishing attack on retailers struggling through one of the worst trading periods on record.
December’s heavy snow brought large parts of Perth and Kinross to a standstill, shutting roads, cutting off communities and leaving many streets impassable or treacherous, even within the heart of Perth.
Nonetheless, Mr Melloy, who represents the Strathmore ward, said businesses relied too much on the council to keep the streets free from the grip of winter and branded them “lazy”.
He claimed retailers only had themselves to blame if customers were unable to visit their shops because their entrances were surrounded by snow and ice.
“They expect the council to do it, when if they got off their backsides and got their shop-fronts clear, then they might get people through their door,” he told fellow councillors at a community safety committee meeting.
The comments sparked a furious response from Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, which hit back at the councillor over his “unjust” comments and demanded an apology.
Now Tory group leader Alexander Stewart has moved to arrange clear-the-air talks between his party and senior board members at the chamber, including president Paul Shields.
In a letter to the chamber he writes, “I would like to assure you, and your members, that the Conservative group of councillors on Perth and Kinross Council are very supportive of the business community throughout the area.
“We are acutely aware of the difficulties that the members of the chamber of commerce have faced over the recent few weeks due to the adverse weather conditions and other key factors affecting trading, including the rise in VAT and the number of empty premises in Perth city centre.
“We are keen to do all that we can to support your members in any way.
“I would like to apologise that the current situation has arisen and would assure you that the sentiments expressed by Councillor Dennis Melloy do not reflect the views of the members of the Conservative Group.”
The board is set to meet on Monday when members will discuss whether to accept Mr Stewart’s offer.
Mr Melloy was unavailable for comment.