Mike Weir has tackled the Minister for Post Office Affairs, Pat McFadden, over the "ludicrous" situation relating proposed post office changes in the Arbroath area following the revelation that the future of the Abbeygate Post Office in the town.

Speaking at Business and Enterprise Questions today (Thursday) Mr Weir set out the situation and asked the Minister: "Does the Minister not accept that even under this inadequate consultation process such a material change in circumstances must mean that the proposed closures must, at the very least, be put on hold until the status of the main Post Office is clarified?"

Mr Weir was scathing abut the response with the Minister merely stated that the "receiving" post office should be able to handle all transferring business.

"The situation in Arbroath is now absolutely ludicrous, and the Minister seems utterly unable to comprehend why local people are spitting blood over the threat to the whole Post Office infrastructure in the town," said Mr Weir.

"Ministers seem to have washed their hands of any responsibility for what is happening to our post offices. It is no wonder this UK government is held in increasing contempt.

"If this consultation process is anything more than a sham then the Post Office must, at a bare minimum, call a halt to changes in the Arbroath area until such time as the future of the Abbeygate office is clear."