Leaked memo stokes Tory- Labour power row
Newly- elected Labour bosses were warned off a power- sharing deal with the Tories, a leaked memo reveals.
Group leaders received orders from party HQ to “resist austerity” and “defend local services from cuts”.
The decree was fired out to negotiating teams just hours after the vote on May 4.
The Post has obtained a copy of the document, which has angered Tory bosses accused of “naivety” in their talks with Labour.
We told how their power- sharing talks broke down when Labour stormed out, claiming they had been treated “with contempt”.
They subsequently signed on the dotted line with the SNP in a new administration propped up by the Independents.
But new Tory boss, Martin Dowey, said: “This proves in pretty clear terms that a deal was never there to be done.
“I’m disappointed that Labour are trying to use us as some kind of scapegoat when they had these orders from on high.
“A vote for Labour was evidently a vote for the SNP in this election, and that has understandably angered a lot of people.”
Scottish Labour bosses have been accused of plunging the party into “complete disarray” after suspending nine councillors in Aberdeen for defying orders to do a deal with the Tories.
But South Ayrshire Labour boss, Brian McGinley, insists he was “free to do any deal”.
However, the Post understands only some of the local Labour group were aware of the decree from the party’s central office.
McGinley said: “There was direction from our Executive Committee, but that didn’t preclude us from doing a deal with the Tories.
“We just saw ourselves having a better natural relationship with the SNP. If the Tories want to keep making this political then that is up to them.
“I’m more interested in doing the best I can for the people of South Ayrshire.”