SNP council boss fights dirty in row over Glasgow’s filthy streets

THE SNP leader of Glasgow council has claimed that Edinburgh is dirtier, in a row over bins and rat infestations at Cop26.

Susan Aitken, whose stewardship of Scotland’s largest city is under intense scrutiny before the UN climate summit, admitted parts of Glasgow had cleanliness “issues” but defended her record by arguing the Scottish capital had a much worse litter problem.

Opponents accused her of offering only “deflection and excuses” amid fears the UK will be humiliated on the world stage by Glasgow’s appearance.

Bin workers are due to strike for a week during the 13-day event, meaning world leaders and thousands of international delegates could be met with the sight of rubbish piled up on streets.

Nicola Sturgeon was yesterday urged to personally take control of efforts to avert a planned wave of strike action during the summit, with rail workers also planning a walkout.

“According to Keep Scotland Beautiful, Edinburgh actually had much worse problems with litter throughout the pandemic,” Ms Aitken said, “and nobody said that they shouldn’t have the Edinburgh International Festival.”

Glasgow council has blamed lockdown for increased reports of rats, claiming the vermin moved to more residential areas to look for food because people were working from home.

Ms Aitken told the BBC the pandemic had had a “significant impact” on the city’s cleansing services.

She was criticised earlier this year for claiming that Glasgow’s streets merely needed a “spruce up” despite residents voicing disgust at the state of the city.

She admitted yesterday that certain areas had “particular issues”, which she blamed on fly tippers. Critics say a new £35 charge to collect bulky waste items has fuelled the problem.

Sandesh Gulhane, the Tory MSP for Glasgow, said Ms Aitken was “not up to the job”. “We raised concerns about the mess in Glasgow weeks ago, yet instead of focusing on tackling the problems, all we hear from the SNP is more deflection and excuses,” he said. “The appalling state of Glasgow’s streets has been caused by years of SNP incompetence.”

While Glasgow is run by the SNP, Edinburgh has an Snp/labour coalition.

Cammy Day, Edinburgh council’s deputy leader, said: “Councillor Aitken should be more concerned about leading her own council and keeping her citizens happy, rather than interfering in the running of Scotland’s capital city dealing with over a decade of cuts from her SNP government.”

‘The appalling state of Glasgow’s streets has been caused by years of SNP incompetence’