Moray Council:- Tory in-fighting labelled an 'incredible situation'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The co-leader of Moray's SNP group states he's been left concerned but unsurprised by the difficulties of the recently formed Conservative administration.
Yesterday saw confirmation that Neil McLennan (Buckie, Conservative) is no longer joint leader of the local Tory group.
He said he had resigned from the post after questioning "poor behaviours" from other party members.
However, others stated he had been sacked following a vote of no confidence brought on by his own behaviour.
Commenting on the complicated developments, cllr Graham Leadbitter (SNP, Elgin South), said: "We have the incredible situation that the Conservative council leader has been removed from leadership of his group, is now sitting on his own as a temporarily independent councillor, but is still the co-leader of Moray Council.
"Once again a group of Tory councillors in Moray have failed to make it through the summer committee break, less than three months after the election, without cracks or splits happening.
"The question folk must be asking is whether the Tories can maintain an administration or if they will walk away as before.
"Whatever happens SNP councillors are committed to continuing the hard work required whether in opposition or in administration."
The Conservatives formed a minority administration just over two months ago, following the local elections which saw them win the most seats of any party – 11 out of 26.
Cllr McLennan stated yesterday that he now would position himself as a 'one-nation' independent councillor – at least until the Conservative party has elected a new national leader.
He also stated he had added his own name to a public letter penned by opposition councillors.
This threatens a vote of no confidence in Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative), the recently appointed convenor of Moray Council, unless he refers himself to the Public Standards Commission for "investigation of the conduct issues relating to actions involving both staff and other councillors".
Although no longer the joint leader of a party, cllr McLennan will remain the co-leader of the council's administration at least until August 10, the date of the next full council meeting following the summer break.
That date could also potentially see a vote of confidence in cllr Macrae.
