A “grubby back-room deal” by the SNP has sold an Angus branch of RBS down the river, it has been claimed.
Montrose will lose its branch of the bank in June this year, following moves by RBS to close an initial total of 62.
The bank recently announced it will retain 10 until the end of the year in towns where the branch would be the last remaining banking outlet.
SNP MP Ian Blackford claimed credit for the committee’s work in securing concessions from RBS.
Angus MP Kirstene Hair said Mr Blackford’s “secretive dealings” with the bank have resulted in a token climb-down which “could have been so much more.”
“Montrose has been sold down the river by this grubby back-room deal,” she said.
“Ian Blackford has claimed this as a personal victory and put one over on his own party colleague who sits on that committee, all to make himself look better.
“This deal has done nothing for Angus and the whole North East of Scotland, and is only temporary at best.
“Local SNP councillors and MSPs have attacked RBS for passing Angus over but this is the work of their own party leader, who has essentially endorsed a deal which suggests it’s fine for Montrose to close.”
The SNP hit back and called on Scottish Tory MPs to “stop whingeing and start acting” on RBS bank closures.
In a letter, SNP Consumer Affairs spokesperson Patricia Gibson MP called on the 13 Scottish Tory MPs to put pressure on their government to intervene, and save the other branches.
The SNP MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, said that Scottish Tory “actions have not matched their words” – with no serious pressure being placed on Theresa May by her Scottish MPs.
She said: “The Tory government has the power and responsibility to intervene, and prevent these vital local banks from closing. They are letting Scotland down by repeatedly refusing to do anything.
“After huge pressure from the SNP and community campaigners, RBS announced a reprieve for ten branches – but the fight to save the remaining banks continues.
“It is time for the Scottish Tories to stop whingeing and start acting. So far their actions have not matched their words – they complain that banks are being closed but they have failed to put any serious pressure on their own Tory government to act. The Tories cannot keep passing the buck – at some point they have to take responsibility.
“These banks are hugely important to communities across Scotland – with local people and businesses set to lose out if the Tory government continues to dismiss their concerns, and let RBS off the hook.
“In the absence of any leadership from the Tories, the SNP will keep up the pressure, and use every avenue we can to get the best outcome for the people of Scotland.”
