There are growing calls for crofting law to be amended to resolve the row between the national body overseeing the system, and local crofters on Lewis.

It follows reports that member of the Crofting Commission had resigned amidst claims that he was unhappy about the way the body was handling the dispute about the running of two common grazings on the island.

The commission sacked two Lewis grazings committees in Mangersta and Upper Coll, over their failure to distribute revenues to shareholders, investing it in local funds instead.

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Other crofting communities expressed their concern over the commission’s actions, and many feel that absentee crofters who are shareholders, should not benefit. There have been warnings the row could undermine the whole crofting system, but the commission has been adamant that crofting legislation demands that shareholders are paid.

Senior figures in the commission met members of the Western Isles Council’s Crofting Joint Consultative Committee in Stornoway yesterday.

Committee chairman Uisdean Robertson, said afterwards the meeting had concluded certain key points: “Common Grazings Committees are allowed to retain appropriate funds in common grazings accounts to carry out planned works on common grazings. This is an important clarification from the commission and will help reassure common grazings committees.”

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He said that all present from the council and the commission had agreed “that legislative change is urgently required" as well as greater transparency The council would work with partners “to press for an early review of the legislation,” he said.

Meanwhile William Swann, who was one of three commission members appointed by the Scottish Government, stood down last week without explanation.

Mr Swann, from Skye was chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. There were reports that he had told crofters on Lewis he would resign if he felt the commission was not dealing with their case in a fair manner.

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But spokeswoman said last night: “The Crofting Commission can confirm that there is no connection between what was reportedly said by William Swann at a meeting with Mangersta shareholders and his decision to resign. William’s reasons for resignation are a private matter for him and we must respect that”

Meanwhile Crofting Commission Chief Executive, Catriona Maclean said the body, with its six crofters who are directly elected by the crofting community, would remain quorate. “I would like to assure all crofters that it is business as usual with a continued focus on securing the future of crofting.”