GLASGOW'S liquor licensing chief has missed his first chance to meet the Justice Secretary - because of the public holiday in the West of Scotland.

Councillor Jim McNally complained recently Kenny MacAskill had refused to speak to him to discuss complex new laws governing alcohol sales.

But it's understood the Glasgow licensing board convener chose not to attend a summit to discuss the issue in Edinburgh yesterday because of the September Weekend.

Board conveners from across Scotland attended the meeting, as did Strathclyde Police's head of licensing, Superintendent John Farrell.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "The meeting was extremely productive. It wasn't that Councillor McNally just didn't turn up. He told us in advance he was unable to attend.

"To the best of our knowledge he has yet to meet the Cabinet Secretary for Justice."

The spokeswoman declined to say why Mr McNally, a veteran Labour councillor, did not attend the meeting.

But a government source said: "It was particularly surprising he failed to attend, especially as he's been so vocal in his criticism of the government in the past few months."

The new Licensing Act gives extra powers to boards across Scotland.

Mr McNally was not available for comment.