Speaking during today’s full Council debate on Haddington Sheriff Court, Depute Leader Councillor Michael Veitch said:
“The closure of Haddington Sheriff Court – should it indeed go ahead - will leave a gaping hole in the heart of East Lothian. The loss of the court would of course be a huge inconvenience to the local legal community and others who work there, and a significant economic blow to Haddington town centre. But more than that, it would represent a significant down-grading of East Lothian’s civic amenities, and thereby diminish the proud autonomy of our county.
“I congratulate all those – especially in the East Lothian legal profession – who have campaigned so hard against the closure, and was especially heartened by the tremendous show of strength which we saw outside the Scottish Parliament just a few weeks ago.
“I still hope that even at this late stage, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Courts Service might realise the error of their ways, and reverse their decision. That is why the motion before us today proposes that we write to Mr MacAskill asking him to re-consider, and I hope every member will feel able to support it. I second the motion in the name of my colleague Cllr McMillan.”