A CLEAR the air meeting is to be held between an MSP and McGill’s Buses chiefs after their managing director launched an astonishing personal attack on the politician.

McGill’s boss Ralph Roberts made stinging comments about Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil after he claimed in the Tele that the company’s recent plan to raise Larkfield fares was a ‘public relations disaster’.

The company had planned to introduce a 20p surcharge on services to and from the area after vandals smashed windows of three vehicles in Cumberland Road, causing £3,000 worth of damage.

But the increase to help cover repair costs was scrapped after talks were held with councillors Chris McEleny and Ciano Rebecchi, plus police and representatives from Inverclyde Council’s community warden service.

Mr McNeil had been due to meet the company to express his concern over the price hike, but this was called off when McGill’s abandoned it.

The MSP then made his comments in the Tele, prompting Mr Roberts to call him ‘a buffoon’.

Mr Roberts added: “McNeil has no clue whatsoever about what goes on after dark in Larkfield, and he does not speak to McGill’s from one year to the next.

“He is completely out of touch and is a relic of a bygone era of politics.” Mr McNeil said today he has made clear to McGill’s represenatives his disappointment at the ‘recent unwarranted and personal comments made by Ralph Roberts’.

The MSP told the Tele: “As a politician I have come to accept that such criticism is, sadly, just part of the job and I would normally shrug it off and get on with it.

“But in this case, I need to recognise that McGill’s bus service is a major and valued employer in the Inverclyde area, providing the majority of local transport services.

“In order to represent my constituents, it is important that I am able to have a good working relationship with McGill’s to ensure the interests of my constituents.” The MSP added: “I am pleased that Sandy Easdale and Mr Roberts have agreed to a meeting in order to deal with the matter in hand, and to discuss our working relationship for the future.”