Dumfries and Galloway Council's SNP-Labour led administration stands firm despite claim its "interim" measure

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s SNP-Labour-led administration appears to be standing firm – despite Labour’s leader in Scotland Anas Sarwar describing it as “interim”.

The local parties struck a deal to run the council jointly with independents following the May council elections.

Labour’s Linda Dorward and the SNP’s Stephen Thompson were elected co-leaders – effectively renewing the previous five-year partnership between leader Elaine Murray and depute Rob Davidson, who both stepped down.

The partnership shut out the Conservatives, the biggest party in terms of seats won, from power.

But Mr Sarwar stoked controversy last week when he described the deal as “interim” and “not for the ­entire duration of the council term”.

Councillor Thompson declined to respond directly to the intervention but made his position plain.

He told the News: “Councillors elected to Dumfries and Galloway Council have agreed an administration in good faith.

“Our SNP group is committed to deliver on behalf of our constituents.”

Councillor Dorward said there was no time limit on the agreement, adding that the three parties were “working together to make a difference for Dumfries and Galloway.”

Conservative leader Gail Macgregor also dismissed claims that the SNP-Labour deal had a short sell-by date.

She said: “At no point during the negotiations or at subsequent council meetings has there ever been any indication that it was a temporary arrangement. That was my understanding.”

South of Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper was scathing about Mr Sarwar’s stance. She said: “He seems to prefer Labour’s councillor teams should prop up Tory administrations rather than be progressive in tackling poverty and supporting measures which help the people of Scotland.

“He should be supporting the fact that we have a Labour co-leadership in Dumfries and Galloway in a cooperation agreement with the SNP for the greater good of the people of Dumfries and Galloway.

“I would invite Anas Sarwar not to use language such as ‘interim’ and instead get behind Linda Dorward who is co-leader of Dumfries and Galloway.”

She added: “Anas Sarwar’s Labour has followed the Tories’ lead to block Scotland’s return to the EU, to deny Scotland’s democratic choice of an independent future and to escape toxic Westminster cuts.”

Scottish Labour was asked for comment.