SNP lose control of North Lanarkshire Council

The SNP has lost control of North Lanarkshire Council just months after winning the most councillors at the local government elections.

Labour has regained control of the council, with Jim Logue elected leader in a key vote on Thursday afternoon.

It follows the resignation of SNP councillor Jordan Linden as leader following allegations of sexual harassment emerged.

The SNP had sought to replace Linden with Tracey Carragher at the meeting, with Alan Masterton to take her position as depute leader.

The Labour group confirmed it would launch a challenge to the leadership last week.

It won by just one vote, securing the backing of 38 councillors to 37.

In an unexpected move, the SNP's Michael Coyle resigned from his party to support Labour's bid. Logue was also supported by the five-strong Conservative group and the British Unionist Party's sole councillor, John Leckie.

The Greens' Claire Williams and independent Robert McKendrick voted with the SNP group, whle Alan Beveridge, also an independnet, abstained.

Following the meeting, Logue said: "While I did not anticipate being in this position, it is clear that there is much to do quickly.

"I am determined to lead an administration which serves all the people of North Lanarkshire, and the most important part of that at this point is ensuring we are doing everything we can to mitigate the cost of living crisis for our residents."

His party colleague Paul Kelly has been elected as depute leader.

The local authority is also currently without a provost following the resignation of Agnes Magowan earlier this week.

A vote on her replacement will take place in due course.