CAMPAIGNERS against the plan for a giant Tesco in Glasgow's West End are accusing the council of a "cover-up" after a Freedom of Information request was turned down.

CAMPAIGNERS against the plan for a giant Tesco in Glasgow's West End are accusing the council of a "cover-up" after a Freedom of Information request was turned down.

They had asked for all correspondence between the council's planning department and the store's agents.

The supermarket giant wants to build a 7500sq m development - dubbed Tesco Town - near the bottom of Byres Road in Partick but the plan has sparked a storm of protest.

Alistair MacDonald, the council's head of planning for the city centre and Clyde, refused to hand over the information.

He said it was exempt under a clause in the Act because disclosure would be likely to "substantially prejudice" a free exchange of views between the council and the store.

But planning expert and leading protestor Dr Samer Bagaeen says he now plans to appeal to Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion and the protesters are seeking legal advice.

Dr Bagaeen said: "I don't know why the council wouldn't release the information if there's nothing harmful in there.

"I don't see why not, unless there's something in there they don't want us to see. Do they have something to hide?"

Nationalist MSP Sandra White is planning to raise questions at Holyrood over the council's position and says she will submit a request under Freedom of Information.

A council spokesman said the protesters were entitled to appeal to the council's solicitor if they were unhappy with the decision.