Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild sparked outrage by making what opponents called a ”disappointing, arrogant and off-handed” statement about the Tay Rail Bridge disaster.
The SNP group leader came under fire after telling councillors at a committee meeting on Monday that Scottish steel producers couldn’t produce the right type of steel for the new Forth Replacement Crossing.
Labour councillor Kevin Keenan was outraged by his comments which, he says, were made worse when the administration leader quipped ”We would not like to see another bridge falling down” in response to pressure from Mr Keenan to use more local companies.
Mr Keenan said: ”I was making a serious point in the City Chambers on how vital it will be that the capital investment for cities is capital investment spent locally if we are to protect the wider Dundee economy.
”Every spend needs to be a local spend and I highlighted that the SNP Government are doing nothing for the Scottish economy by purchasing the steel for the new Forth crossing from China.
”In response, and trying to defend the Scottish Government, SNP leader of the council Ken Guild said no Scottish companies tendered for the business as they didn’t have the capability and went further saying he ‘would not like to see another bridge fall down’.”
Mr Keenan continued: ”I consider this a very disappointing, arrogant and off-handed comment. Many years ago the Tay Rail Bridge disaster was a dark day in Dundee’s history with many people losing their lives, and leaving loved ones behind. No disaster should just be forgotten.
”Ken Guild has publicly put down Scotland’s manufacturing industry this is something that is unforgivable for any leader of any council in Scotland. He has let down the manufacturing sector of Dundee and Scotland.”
Steel workers union Community has previously spoken out after it was revealed that steel for the new Forth Crossing would be imported from China.
Community’s Scotland organiser, John Paul McHugh, said: ”Mr Guild’s offensive comments come as no surprise from a party that in recent weeks has shown putting Scotland first doesn’t mean putting Scottish industry first.
”Doing down Scottish steelworkers does nothing to secure a sustainable future for Scottish steelmaking.”’Manufactured outrage’But Mr Guild responded to the accusations by saying his comments were not suggesting in any way that Scottish steel was inferior, but that it was of a different type to the steel required.
He said: ”The point being made was that the first Tay Rail bridge was made from inferior materials. This is manufactured outrage and Councillor Keenan is showing his desperation in the run-up to an election.
”We have been criticised for not buying steel from Scotland but the reason is that no Scottish company tendered because the type of steel they produce is not the type of steel stipulated for this contract.
”What I was saying is that if you build a bridge from unsuitable steel you get a disaster. That was purely and simply the point I was making.
”In no way is that suggesting that Scottish companies are incompetent they just manufacture a different type of steel.”