Commenting on the report on the BBC that the offer of a £50 million gift by businessman Sir Ian Wood to assist in the redevelopment of Aberdeen city centre – which was on the table until the end of the year to help fund a “transformational” project – is set to be rejected by the Labour/Tory council administration, SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central Kevin Stewart said:

“This is extraordinarily inept behaviour, and the Labour/Tory council coalition should apologise to the people of Aberdeen. They have let local people down, and a golden opportunity for Aberdeen has been missed.

“The Council had an obligation to work with Sir Ian to ensure that the £50 million was used wisely to invest in positive change for the city centre – but they have squandered the chance, ignored a referendum vote by local people, and ended up with nothing for Aberdeen.”