SIR, The dust is yet to settle after the Scottish referendum where by the powers that be; “Westminster” have appointed Lord Smith of Kelvin to oversee the consultation with all interested Scottish parties, organisations and individuals with the hope of coming up with Devo-Max!

But, if memory serves us right, isn’t this what David Cameron and his advisers kept off the ballot paper even though the SNP were in favour of having it as a choice for the Scottish people to choose from? Anyway, coming back to the present, has the media failed so far to ask the most important question? Who is Lord Smith and how and why was he appointed so quickly, as the right individual to take forward such an important mission? This is what has been brought to my notice and is easily verifiable if anyone truly cares about this nation and its people.

Lord Smith is pro fracking and Chairman of the Weir group (which has about 30% of the fracking market in the USA), SSE and The Green Investment Bank. He is also Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde and a Director of the Standard Bank Group. Mr. Smith last year revealed in a national newspaper that he wanted to make Scotland a “Fracking Hub” and exploit the skills of the already existing workforce in the oil industry.

The majority of the people in Scotland are for renewables and support green energy. This appointment highlights a “Conflict of Interest” in his role as commissioner, for being responsible; to hammer a consensus for more devolved powers for the Scottish Parliament. He is aware of the current policy of the SNP and the Greens of making Scotland a hub for “Renewable Energy” and would, if required, undermine this policy for his own business interests and his benefactors from Westminister.

Are the residents of Peebles happy to have fracking undertaken under their homes and land? I have just received an email from protest group 38 Degrees asking all its members to get in touch directly with Lord Smith’s office as they are refusing to meet up with ordinary people!

While Lord Smith heads around the country to meet businesses and charities, his team have made it clear he won’t make any time for public meetings. It looks like he might be picking and choosing whom he hears from - making it easier to ignore the thoughts of real people.

Politicians and the government were quick off the mark to have their say on devolution. It’s going to be hard for Lord Smith to come up with a plan that works for ordinary Scottish people if he hasn’t spoken to any of them.

Democracy in action, for the rich, by the rich at the expense of the poor!

I am, etc.

Bosco Santimano Peebles