SNP brand coalition ‘grubby’

West Lothian Council is to be run by a minority Labour administration in a deal described as a “grubby coalition with the Tories” by the SNP.

At the recent election the SNP won the largest number of seats – 15 seats to Labour’s 12.

But after failing to negotiate a deal with other parties they were unable to gather enough support to form a new administration

Labour veterans Cathy Muldoon and Lawrence Fitzpatrick were instead elected to the top council positions on Tuesday.

Cathy will take over from Tom Kerr as Provost, while Cllr Peter Heggie is Depute Provost.

The council will resemble the set-up in the last administration, with Labour running a minority administration with loose coalition support from the four Conservative councillors, Independent Stuart Borrowman and Lib Democrat for Linlithgow Councillor, Sally Pattle.

After the vote SNP group leader Janet Campbell, said: “It’s another grubby coalition with the Tories. It’s a shameful day for your party.”

Labour group leader Cllr Fitzpatrick rejected this and said:“The majority votes were for parties opposed to independence and returned a majority of councillors opposed to independence.”

Cllr Fitzpatrick, leader of the last administration, was re-elected to the position, by 18 votes to 15, and was also elected chair of the council Executive.

Cllr Muldoon, a long time councillor for Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley, told the meeting: “I’m delighted to be elected Provost of West Lothian. It is an honour and a privilege and I’m extremely proud to be elected as West Lothian’s first ever female Provost.”

Conservative Peter Heggie, who represents Livingston South and was elected as depute Provost, said: “It is a real privilege to hold the position of Depute Provost of West Lothian and I’m delighted to have been selected to serve this office.”

Labour’s Kirsteen Sullivan was returned to the position of depute leader of the council.