Cllr quits to become an Independent
Cllr Elspeth Maclachlan has left the SNP, she says A Perth councillor is to stand against her former party in May after resigning amid a selection issue.
Perth City North Councillor Elspeth Maclachlan says she is to stand as an independent member on May 4 after quitting the SNP earlier this month.
Ms Maclachlan told the Perthshire Advertiser yesterday that she had been “under pressure” not to stand at the forthcoming elections since last November. She claimed a fellow councillor was responsible.
Ms Maclachlan stated that she formally joined the Independent grouping on Tuesday. It is understood the move was confirmed with an office shift that day, as well as the council website being updated to reflect the new status.
Confirming the change, Ms Maclachlan said: “I resigned from the party in the week prior to the SNP conference making my resignation effective from Friday, March 17.
“I had been under pressure since last November from a fellow councillor to agree not to stand in May.
“I put in a complaint to the party on another matter so had expected to fail the vetting process.”
Ms Maclachlan did not state what her complaint was about.
The PA attempted to contact the SNP head office about the issue this week but did not get a response by the time of going to press yesterday (Thursday).
We also attempted to seek an answer to claims that the SNP has temporarily suspended canvassing in parts of Perth while the matter was concluded, but this was not forthcoming.
Ms Maclachlan said that the outcome of an appeal regarding her position was now “academic”
She added: “I have already submitted my nomination papers to stand as an Independent.”
She sits on various committees for the council, as well as holding the position of vice-convener of the community safety committee.