Darling makes secret visit to closure-threatened post office

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Darli ... 4661728.jp

Published Date: 05 November 2008
CHANCELLOR Alistair Darling has paid a secret visit to the threatened Oxgangs Broadway post office, it has emerged.
Mr Darling, who is MP for the Edinburgh South West constituency, visited postmaster Owen Connelly on Friday morning to discuss the branch's future. It was scheduled for the axe after another two post offices were reprieved recently.

Mr Darling is thought to have kept his visit quiet to avoid controversy, because he was in charge of the Department of Trade and Industry when the closure programme was announced.

Labour councillor for the area, Eric Barry, who also attended the meeting, said: "It was just meant to be a private visit."

The area's Conservative councillor, Jason Rust, commented: "It is rank hypocrisy for Alistair Darling, who initiated the post office closure programme, to now be shedding crocodile tears."

A public meeting to discuss the proposed closure will be held at Pentland Community Centre on November 11, starting at 6pm.