MOBILE phone firm Guernsey Airtel was yesterday accused of not wanting to engage with the public. Eighty-one people attended a ticket only meeting at the Old Government House Hotel last evening to hear Airtel present its environmental plans in Guernsey.

Protest group No More Masts chairman Colin Fallaize, who dismissed the meeting as useless, said, ‘I think the small size of the venue, the low number of people who were here and the way it was advertised doesn’t suggest they honestly want to engage the public,’ he said.

The claim was rejected by Airtel CEO Dave Watson, who said that lessons had been learned for next time.

Nineteen places were left empty and there were claims that the event had not been adequately publicised.

A question and answer session was extended after members of the audience demanded more time to quiz Mr Watson.

‘The short time allocated for questions and answers implied they don’t want to work together with islanders,’ said Mr Fallaize.

‘My main concern was the 18 additional 15-metre masts Airtel has applied to build on greenfield sites.

‘When I asked Dave Watson how many were in close proximity to schools and nurseries he didn’t know and had to get one of his representatives to deal with the question. To me that suggests a lack of homework.

‘While I’m grateful to Airtel for holding it, it didn’t serve any purpose at all.’

The mobile operator tried to reassure islanders that it would share masts wherever possible.

All questions and answers will be available on www.airtelguernsey.gg.

Mr Watson strongly rejected accusations that his company had attempted to keep the meeting low profile in order to limit attendance.

‘It was absolutely not my intention. This is the first one we have done. If there were things that were not perfect, we know for the next time,’ he said. ‘

* NoMM has written to the OUR, Environment and deputies about mast sharing. Mr Fallaize has not ruled out more protests, but further direct action is not planned at present.