Skye and Kyle Against Tolls (Skat) campaign continued to tear itself apart yesterday with one wing announcing it was expelling two leading members in the other, partly for being local office bearers in the SNP, writes David Ross, Highland Correspondent.
Skat has been fighting for the removal of the tolls for almost four years but internal strife now threatens the effective continuation of the campaign, although both sides insist they will fight on as normal. Both sides also claim to be the legitimate Skat.
The bitter division centres on a clash of personalities and policies. Skat's convener, Portree councillor Drew Millar, and Robbie the Pict lead one faction, which is concentrating on using the legal process because they see it as the only way to remove the tolls and achieve financial and legal redress.
In the other camp is Mr George ''Andy'' Anderson, the first person to be prosecuted for refusing to pay the tolls without reasonable excuse, and former legal secretary John Campbell. They argue that Skat must also fight a political campaign, and also claim a clear majority of the membership.
The members named by the Millar/Pict camp are Mr Anderson, who is vice-convener of the Skye branch of the SNP, and Mr Robert Stewart, secretary of the Cromarty and Black Isle branch.
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