A Cupar-based environmental charity last week forced to distance itself from any perceived links to Scottish nationalism has stated “party politics has no place” in its running.
The Courier last week revealed how Sustainable Cupar secretary Jenny Collins sent a mass email to members highlighting a Rally for Scottish Independence in Edinburgh on Saturday September 21.
But several members of the community group quickly complained this was an inappropriate move as they thought Sustainable Cupar had no political affiliation, with several members threatening to resign.
This prompted the chairman of Sustainable Cupar, Andy Collins an Englishman who, away from the charity, is also the spokesman for the Yes to Independence campaign in north east Fife to tell members by email that it would be “inappropriate and against the law” for party politics to have a place in the charity.
Mr Collins said that as a result of last week’s Courier article, the 2014 referendum vote was discussed at a trustee meeting of Sustainable Cupar on Saturday and he had now apologised officially to members.
He said: “Because the referendum is a constitutional matter and not a party-political matter, the charity regulator has issued detailed guidance concerning the 2014 vote. This makes it clear that if the aims of a charity will be materially affected by the referendum result then it is perfectly reasonable for that charity to take a view on Scottish independence.
“One of the basic tenets of sustainability is to make sure that political and economic decisions are made as close as possible to the people who will be affected by those decisions.
“Sustainable Cupar will be discussing this important vote over the coming months and will do our best to inform members of any issues relating to sustainability.
“For the time being, therefore, we will not be taking either side in the referendum debate.
“We also wish to make it clear that the 2014 vote will not distract us from our efforts to pursue a sustainable future for Cupar.”