SNP wins double victory in Glasgow by-elections

The SNP has won a double victory in Glasgow after coming first in two by-elections.

The results mean former councillor Mhairi Hunter returns to the city chambers.

She was backed on the campaign trail by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who joined Hunter and fellow activists on Thursday evening.

Now returned in the city's Southside Central ward, Hunter lost her council seat in the 2022 local elections.

The contest was called due to the death of Labour councillor James Scanlon in December.

The vote coincided with that for the North East ward, which was left vacant after the winner of a previous be-election, Labour's Mary McNab, was disqualified from taking up the seat under the terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act.

The law bans councillors from also being council employees and McNab failed to quit her local authority post within the required timeframe.

It all happened in December, when just 12.4 per cent of residents in the constituency turned out to vote in a by-election triggered by the resignation of fellow Labour politician Maureen Burke, who is now an MP.

But the party was unable to defend the seat again, with the SNP's Donna McGill named as its new councillor.

Council leader Susan Aitken said the city has "two brilliant new councillors". She said: "We took nothing for granted and worked hard for every single vote. Thank you to everyone who put their trust in us."

On Hunter's victory, Aitken commented: "I could not be more delighted to welcome my pal Mhairi Hunter back to the city chambers. She was an incredible champion for the communities of Southside Central before and she will be again."