Snp-labour Edinburgh coalition deal agreed

Plans for an Snp-labour coalition to run Edinburgh have finally got the go-ahead – 42 days after the council elections.

Labour’s Scottish executive committee (SEC) yesterday gave its endorsement to the agreement which will see the two parties form a joint administration at the City Chambers.

But it is understood the approval came only after Edinburgh Labour group leader Cammy Day threatened to go ahead with the deal even if the SEC objected.

The SEC had blocked the coalition plans just 24 hours earlier, saying it still needed to be persuaded that the deal met the conditions laid down by the party for any partnership with other parties.

However, Mr Day was said to be “furious” at the decision and it is understood he had a meeting with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale to make his feelings clear. One source said: “Cammy was outraged about the SEC stance – he basically said if they didn’t agree he would go ahead anyway.”