Conservatives become largest party in Edinburgh City Council after SNP councillor quits party

The Conservatives have become the largest group on Edinburgh City Council after an SNP councillor resigned from the party.

Drum Brae councillor Claire Bridgman will now sit as an independent, and her resignation is the third suffered by the SNP group this year.

Former planning convener Lewis Ritchie and former housing and economy convener Gavin Barrie have also stepped down amid rumours of an acrimonious split in the party in the city.

The Conservative group, with 17 councillors, is now the largest party, with the SNP on 16.

However the minority Labour-SNP coalition in the capital will carry on, but questions have been asked about the morale within the SNP group.

Bridgman did not give a reason for her resignation.

Council and SNP group leader Adam McVey told The National: “I appreciate Claire has had a difficult year and I’d like to thank her for her contribution to the strength of the SNP group over the last year.

“My door remains open and I hope to see Claire rejoin the SNP again when she feels able to do so.”