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Highland Council coalition splits Highland Council coalition splits
(about 4 hours later)
Highland Council is facing political uncertainty after the SNP pulled out of the ruling coalition with the Independent group.Highland Council is facing political uncertainty after the SNP pulled out of the ruling coalition with the Independent group.
The SNP had earlier forced the Independent group into demanding the resignation of one of its leading members, Councillor Isobel McCallum.The SNP had earlier forced the Independent group into demanding the resignation of one of its leading members, Councillor Isobel McCallum.
The Independents are the largest single political grouping on the council.The Independents are the largest single political grouping on the council.
Their leader John Laing said they would continue as a minority ruling group, while trying to form new alliances. Staff have been told it is business as usual and they should deal with councillors with the "usual courtesy".
Nationalists have officially notified the local authority's chief executive, Alistair Dodds, that they have withdrawn from the administration.
HIGHLAND FACT FILE The local authority agreed a budget of £568.6m and cuts of £12m in the springThe council is made up of 33 members of the Independent group, 21 Liberal Democrats, 17 SNP, seven Labour and two non-aligned councillorsHighland Council is one of the region's main employers Iain MacDonald on the split
Independent leader John Laing said it would continue as a minority ruling group, while trying to form new alliances.
He said: "One of the strengths of the Independent party is exactly that, they are independent members.He said: "One of the strengths of the Independent party is exactly that, they are independent members.
"Apart from the odd one or two who have strayed a wee bit from the fold, we have largely stayed intact over the past 14 months in our coalition and delivered well for the Highland people.""Apart from the odd one or two who have strayed a wee bit from the fold, we have largely stayed intact over the past 14 months in our coalition and delivered well for the Highland people."
SNP group leader John Finnie said: "There are some very fine people among the Independent group but there are clearly individuals within there who, right from the outset, sought to undermine the Scottish National Party's involvement in that coalition."SNP group leader John Finnie said: "There are some very fine people among the Independent group but there are clearly individuals within there who, right from the outset, sought to undermine the Scottish National Party's involvement in that coalition."
He said his party was now looking for other people to "put together a coalition".He said his party was now looking for other people to "put together a coalition".
The council is made up of 33 members of the Independent group, 21 Liberal Democrats, 17 SNP, seven Labour and two non-aligned councillors. Mr Dodds is providing guidance to the political groupings on procedure while at the same time preparing for the next meeting of the council on 26 June.
He said: "Staff have been advised that it is business as usual and my guidance to them is to continue dealing with councillors and office-bearers with the usual courtesy.
"I will be providing councillors with the necessary procedural advice over the coming days and ensuring that the important day-to-day business of the council is delivered."