AN accountant suspended from his professional body for misconduct last night defended his stance in a dispute said to threaten the future of a renowned Alexander Greek Thomson building.
Dundee-based Tom Dyer insisted his aims for the Egyptian Halls in Glasgow's Union Street represent ''the most significant and beneficial step forward'' for the property in many years.
He added the wrangle could be resolved easily - by Glasgow City Council dropping its compulsory purchase order on the property, acknowledged as the most magnificent of Greek Thomson's commercial designs.
The Herald revealed yesterday that Mr Dyer is supporting an appeal by one of the former owners against the order.
The Court of Session hearing could be 10 months away, leading to Alexander Thomson Society concerns that winter will take an irreparable toll on the property.
Mr Dyer confirmed yesterday that he now owned half the building, was negotiating to buy the remainder outright, and wanted to turn it into a hotel and restaurant. He complained not enough time was given to carry out relevant repairs before the council issued the compulsory purchase order.
The council has secured #100,000 towards a #3m restoration scheme supported by Historic Scotland and planned as part of Glasgow's celebrations as UK City of Architecture 1999.
Mr Dyer was found guilty in March of professional misconduct by the Institute of Chartered Accountants' Disciplinary Commitee after an investigation into allegations he cheated a bankrupt and his creditors out of an estimated #80,000.
He was fined #5000, ordered to pay costs of #18,000, and suspended for three years. Last night, Mr Dyer insisted press reports on his dispute with the institute were ''fundamentally wrong.''
He also said his plans for the Egyptian Halls were based on sound sympathetic principles which would ''protect and preserve many of its features''.
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