Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 27 April 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been advised by Audit Scotland that KPMG, the Council’s external auditors, have been requested to review the Council’s recent internal audit investigation.

The Vice-Convener, Mr Roddy Murray, commented that the Comhairle had agreed in February 2000 to forward all papers connected with the issue to KPMG for investigation as part of their final report to the Comhairle for 1999-2000 and that he was pleased to receive this confirmation of early action.

The Convener, Alex Macdonald, said

"I am pleased to note Audit Scotland’s emphasis that the referral of this matter to the Auditors is in accordance with normal practice and we look forward to receiving the report and bringing this matter to a conclusion".

Dr Neil Galbraith, the Acting Chief Executive, commented that he welcomed early action on this issue and particularly the indication that the review would focus on financial issues and not on the extraneous issues which had arisen in connection with the matter and which were quite specifically within the remit of the Council.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer