SNP Glasgow whip sacked by council leader
THE SNP business manager at Glasgow City Council has been sacked.
John Letford, who was SNP chief whip at the council, has been removed from his post by council leader Susan Aitken.
Mr Letford had been the business manager since the SNP took control in a minority administration in 2017.
He was responsible for ensuring group discipline and liaising with other political parties in the council during key votes including budgets.
Councillors were informed of the decision at an SNP group meeting yesterday. Mr Letford was told of the decision on Sunday.
Ms Aitken said: “Glasgow’s first SNP administration has so much it can proudly point to in such a short space of time and John has been essential to delivering that.
“Both myself and the whole Glasgow SNP group are grateful for the tireless work he has put into this very challenging role since before the 2017 election and the successes he has achieved for the group in that time.
“After almost three years, I believe that a new approach is required within the business manager’s team to reflect changing dynamics, to take the administration through fresh opportunities and challenges and into the next election.”
Mr Letford was in charge of getting enough votes to pass important decisions and policies at committees and at the full council meetings.
Mr Letford, a councillor in Maryhill, has been replaced by Greg Hepburn as SNP business manager, who will also be proposed as business manager for the City Council subject to approval.
His appointment could lead to a reshuffling of senior SNP councillors’ posts as he was the convenor of the neighbourhoods and housing policy committee.
Mr Letford has not commented publicly on the sacking.