LOCAL MSP John Lamont believes the current law concerning access rights for grandparents needs to be looked at.

MR Lamont was responding after visit to the Scottish Parliament by representatives of the campaign group Grandparents Rights. The group was set up two years ago by Tweedbank pensioner Isobel Shillinglaw.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Mr Lamont said: I was very pleased to meet with Isobel at the Scottish Parliament. I have spoken to her on a number of occasions and know that she is passionate about the importance of grandparents to a child’s well-being.

 “In the difficult situation of a marriage breaking down, grandparents are often left to support both parents and their grandchildren and can be an important source of stability for children in what can be an unsettling time.

 “It can be upsetting for both children and grandparents who both want access rights granted if the law gets in the way of this. I think it is time to take a close look at the current law to see if it would be appropriate to strengthen the rights of grandparents.”

Isobel's daughter-in-law Alexis Shillinglaw, who is also part of the campaign group said she was disappointed with the response from most MSP's on the issue -with the exception of Mr Lamont. Alexis said: “We had contacted a number of MSP's in advance, to let them know that our group would be outside the Parliament Building all day. She asked if any of them would consider coming out to address us, even if it was only for five minutes.

“Out of all the MPs that I had written to John Lamont, was the only one who responded back straight away.

“Mr John Lamont was unsure whether he would be able to come out and chat to us as a Thursday is a very busy day with Question time, but when we arrived I emailed him to let him know.

“Mr Lamont made such a huge effort to come out and chat to Isobel and our campaign followers. Isobel and myself couldn't thank him enough for his valued time with us. Out of all the members in the Scottish Parliament including the First Minister he was the only one who truly made an effort.”