Local Labour MSP Cathy Jamieson has blasted the Tories and the SNP after the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee voted to close two local courts, on the casting vote of the Tory Committee Convenor.

The Justice Committee had previously rejected the plans yet Cumnock and Girvan courts are now set to close after Tory Convenor, Bill Aitken MSP, voted with SNP members to accept the recommendation by the SNP Government to close the courts. During the meeting Ms Jamieson had outlined the strong local support for the retention of the courts, highlighting evidence from both East Ayrshire Council and local JPs.

Ms Jamieson said: "I am extremely disappointed at the decision to close these two local courts, this decision takes no account of the needs and desires of the local community, and is another example of SNP cuts. People have every right to feel let down, both with the SNP Government, and with the Conservatives, who scuppered the chance to save the courts, and joined with the SNP to push through their agenda of cuts and centralisation.

"Both East Ayrshire Council and local JPs presented a strong case for the retention of these courts at a practical level, and there remains several questions over the suitability of Ayr Court to cope with the additional demands that will now be placed upon it. I will continue to press this matter in the Scottish Parliament.

"However, I do not think this matter is simply about buildings, or the location of court premises. It is about access to justice and ensuring local communities see justice being done - that they can see the operation of their own courts, and are able to go to court to see what happens. The SNP seem to have turned their back on the concept of community justice, and I believe that Scotland will be the poorer for it."