SNP are blasted after meeting walk-out
A council meeting descended into chaos as members of the SNP Group walked out.
A row erupted as the meeting, which had been going for more than four hours, continued until 9pm.
Labour and the Tories hit out at the SNP who state the reason for their exit was due to “undemocratic changes to the running of the council”.
The SNP leader Tom Johnston said: “As councillors we were elected to scrutinise and monitor the operation of this council and the actions of this Tory- Labour run administration.
“They have shown that they simply do not want scrutiny and any challenge to their chaotic stewardship of this council.
“NLC full council only meets four times a year to discuss the running of a near £1 billion organisation, yet any scrutiny is blocked in the name of keeping a meeting short.
“My group will take all time required to ensure that this council is effectively monitored and we will not be blocked from doing our elected duty by any group trying to reduce the democratic rights of the representatives of the people.
“Sadly at this point we had no choice but to leave the chamber in order to highlight this appalling abuse of democratic process.”
Conserative Group leader Meghan Gallacher told the Wishaw Press that The SNP Group failed to understand the council’s procedures.
She continued: “The behaviour of the SNP Group was disgusting. If one thing is clear, the tantrum thrown by North Lanarkshire SNP shows that they have no respect for anyone outwith their own small group.
“They have not just let themselves down, they have let down the constituents they represent.”
Labour’s Paul Kelly, the council’s deputy leader, added: “It was the SNP who asked for an extension to the meeting, which was successful.
“Under the rules of extension which the SNP and all other parties agreed to, any request to extend a full council meeting beyond 8pm means that motions will only be voted on and not subject to speeches by councillors.
“We know the SNP are a shambles but walking out of a full council meeting due to their own successful request is a new level of incompetence, even for them.”