POLITICAL representatives from across the Borders have reacted angrily to local MP David Mundell’s decision to attend the opening of a foodbank in Dumfries.

The Scottish Secretary, who is the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, encountered a hostile reception when he visited the foodbank at the at the Apex Centre in Dumfries last week, with protesters shouting "shame on you."

Peebles councillor Willie Archibald called the visit a "gross misjudgement"’ stating that the policies of Mr Mundell’s party are directly responsible for the increase in food poverty.  Speaking to the Peeblesshire News Mr Archibald said. “Mr Mundell was wrong to attend the opening of the foodbank in Dumfries. It was provocative, and a gross misjudgement on his part.

“Mr Mundell is on record as saying food poverty is not connected to sanctions. All I will say to that is if you ask anyone who works for the Citizens Advice Bureau, anyone who is involved in the operation, management and running of foodbanks, they will certainly give you chapter and verse on how Westminster government policies are severely impacting on those people who are unfortunate enough to be receiving insufficient income.

“Even people who have got jobs are having the money taken from them, are forced into using foodbanks. It is a deplorable state of affairs.

“If you look at a towns like Dumfries and Peebles, which are on the face of it quite prosperous, there is a large section of the population who are suffering from very low take home wages. That has been a scandal for many years in the Borders and in Dumfriesshire, and it is not being helped by the current policies of this government. They seem to see the poorer and less fortunate members of society - those who are disabled even - as fair game, when it comes to saving money.”

Barrie Cunning, Branch Secretary for Berwickshire Labour, also went on the offensive. On his Facebook home page he said: “David Mundell opening a foodbank is like Hitler standing by the gates of Auschwitz saying to people I hope you have a good time.”

However Jim Benton-Evans, chair of Trustees for the foodbank in Peebles defended Mr Mundell's visit. He said: “I find it a bit odd to suggest that politicians of one particular party should keep away from foodbanks or not open them.

“Trussell Trust foodbanks are completely non-political. It is vital that politicians of every shade and colour come and visit us and find out what the issues are, and hear first hand about some of the issues our clients are facing.

“Now I happen to think that Mr Mundell is dead wrong about not seeing any correlation between increased benefit sanctions and increased foodbank usage. I think the correlation is clear and obvious.

“But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t come to foodbanks and learn from them and listen to the stories that people have. Frankly, I wish that more politicians would do that.” Mr Mundell’s office declined to comment when asked by the Peeblesshire News.