THE Chairman of Peebles Community Council has publicly denied claims that he was given confidential police information.

Last month the Peeblesshire News reported that Police Scotland launched an internal investigation following allegations of police data being leaked.

Following a spate of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in Peebles last year, Chairman of the town’s community council Les Turnbull, criticised the lack of police presence in the town.

Mr Turnbull, a retired Police Superintendent, strongly denies claims that he was given classified police information.

The community leader made this statement at Peebles Community Council last week.

“I do need to make reference to an article that was in the Peeblesshire News a few weeks ago regarding the apparent use of confidential information from the police, and those of you that have seen the article will see that I made comment in the paper.

“I just want to put it on record that I have never received confidential information from any police officer regarding any matter and any criticisms that I have had to make of the police in the past have been based open sourced information.

“I just need to tell you that’s what happened and I am in on-going contact with the police regarding that article and I’ll say no more about that for the time being.”