Ex-leader of Orange Order gets elected

THE former world leader of the Orange Order has been elected as a Scottish Labour councillor in North Lanarkshire.

Henry Dunbar will represent the party for the first time in the Airdrie North ward.

He polled 1,170 of the 5,565 first preference votes and was elected alongside Sophia Coyle and Richard Sullivan of the SNP and Independent Alan Beveridge.

Ian Mcneil, executive officer of the order in Scotland since 2019, failed to get re-elected as a Labour councillor in Airdrie South.

Mr Dunbar, 66, was Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland from 2010 to 2016 and Imperial President of the Order worldwide, 2015-18.

He was a prominent pro-union figure in the 2104 independence referendum, helping to organise the biggest No event of the campaign.

The Orange Order describes itself as the “oldest and biggest Protestant fraternity in Scotland”, with members who are “bonded together to promote the ideals of our faith”. It is felt by some to be anti-catholic.

Mr Dunbar said in March that said his religion was not relevant to his political role, and he would represent all constituents equally.