A former member of the Peterhead lifeboat crew has called for an investigation after the service was temporarily stood-down.
The RNLI last month suspended the service due to a long-running personnel dispute.
But yesterday, it announced the volunteers will start a phased return next month after undergoing “intensive training” in time for Scottish Week, from July 20.
But former operations manager Peter Harris claims it was down to one person that the team relations disintegrated.
The 78-year-old said: “The behaviour of one man alienated the whole crew and now he has caused long serving members to be discarded despite the fortune spent training them.
“I was the ops manager for nearly three years but because I was telling Perth there was a problem I was told to leave.
“There should be an inquiry and those men reinstated.
“The boat was never unsafe as numerous call-outs were carried out successfully and the crew were a great bunch.
“These facts should go to our MP for a full inquiry.”
Mr Harris came forward after the RNLI announced they were hoping to have the Peterhead station back up and running following intensive training from coxswains but would offer intermittent services as training progresses.
The organisation refuted the claims.
A spokeswoman said: “Where we are aware of behavioural or performance issues with any of our people – staff or volunteer – we will act appropriately to deal with them.
“We stand by our decision to remove a small number of volunteers due to historical behavioural issues that were deemed to be disruptive to the future running of Peterhead LBS.
“We have an open and honest dialogue with the local MP, who we are regularly keeping updated with as much information as possible”.
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid confirmed he had “kept in touch” and focused on the positive news.
He said: “It’s great to hear confirmation that’s the Peterhead boat and crew will soon be back in service.
“There’s more than a little local pride in the lifeboat and a power of fundraising goes on in Peterhead and its surroundings.
“I share that pride and look forward to welcoming them back.”
