THE publication of the forest consultation document today demonstrates how sad the politicisation of the HOOF (Hands Off Our Forest) campaign became. 

What has been published is in line with what Mark Harper and others have been saying all along. Scaremongering and hype by political opponents, who have little else to say or offer, does nothing positive for the people of the Dean. The whole campaign was pure political theatre. 

On the back of a leak, make up a story, however untrue, blow it up as big as you can, get the ill informed and celebrities to join the bandwagon, and local newspapers who relish the controversy.  Say the untruths over and over again until people believe they are the truth, because nothing can be said to contradict – do it all before the real facts are able to be revealed.

Those who claim to have "changed the government mind"  must be clairvoyant, as the government's "mind" was not known at any time until today.  Nothing has been changed because there was nothing to change.  Now we can all deal with the real facts and create a real future not a myth.

– Councillor Stephen R McMillan (Con), Mid Dean Division, Gloucestershire County Council.