To newcomers

Convener and ex-provost among string of veterans to lose out

Highland Council lost several big-name councillors yesterday, including the convener of the Highlands and Islands Fire Board and a former Inv e r n e s s provost.

Independent Richard Durham lost his Tain and Easter Ross seat to former Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Stone, who makes a return to Highland politics after stepping down from Holyrood last year.

And the SNP tactic of placing two candidates in some wards to maximise their chances backfired on occasion in the Highlands, with some experiencednationalist names losing their seats to unknown SNP members.

The biggest shocks came in the Inverness wards, where the SNP lost two senior members.

First Pauline Munro lost her seat in Inverness West to party newcomer Allan Duffy.

Clearly upset, she left the hall immediately after the result was announced.

Mr Duffy, a former Army clerk, said: “I am delighted to have been elected but I

“We have lost two really hard-working and dedicated councillors”

amgutted for Pauline. I feel very sorry for her. We have been friends for years.”

Mrsmunro said later: “It was a gamble. Everyone includingmeknewthe implications and it is unfortu- nate we were not able to take both seats. It has been an absolute pleasure representing the people of Inverness West for the past five years and I wish Mr Duffy the best.”

The second shock followed soon after when the SNP’S Bob Wynd, a former Inverness provost, lost his seat inculloden and Ardersier. Mr Wynd left the hall before the announcement was made.

SNP group leader Drew Hendry, who retained his seat in Aird and Lochness, said: “We have lost two really hard-working and dedicated councillors. Howe v e r, we h a v e ne w councillors in place who are going to be able to work hard for their communities.”

In Dingwall and Seaforth, sitting SNP councillor Peter Cairns also missed out, to the advant a g e of Na t i o n a l i s t colleague Graham Mackenzie, the former rector of Dingwall Academy.

Mr Cairns admitted the tactic had been “a risk”.

Three wards where the strategy did work were Inverness Central, Badenoch and Strathspey, and Nairn.

Mr Durham, a councillor for 12 years, has been a prominent figure in recent weeks as convener of the beleaguered Highlands andislands Fire Board, and he admitted his defeat could have been related to the problems faced by the service. Moves started last night to create the new administration for Highland Council, after no party won enough seats to control the localauthority.

After a recount in one ward, the Independents won the biggest number of seats with 35, beating the SNP, who took 22, into second place.

The Liberal Democrats won 15 and Labour finished on eight.

Before the recount even took place, meetings were taking place yesterday afternoon to begin the process of settingupanadministration. Further meetings will take place over the weekend, although it is unlikely that an administration will be formed before Monday.

Carolyn Wilson, spokeswoman for the Independent group, said they did not intend to rush into a coalition. She added that they were open to discussions with all the other groups. She said: “We are the biggest group and we feel it is a massive responsibility to make the right decision for the future of the council.

“Many of the independent councillors got the highest vote in the election. That is the people of Highland saying that they want down-to-earth people with common sense, and who are not attached to any political party.”

She added:“we have had a meeting and we are open to speaking to all three groups to see what their ideas are and how they see the future of the council.”

She said: “I think we have a huge amount of experience

Veteran Richard Durham lost his seat