THE leader of an SNP council group has quit the party – and looks set to join the ruling Tory administration as an independent.
South Ayrshire’s SNP group was stunned by the shock resignation of their leader, William Grant, on Monday, which came alongside a Tory councillor resigning from their party.
The SNP group hit out at news that Grant is likely to join the Conservative-run administration as an independent, saying he would be "propping up" the Tories by accepting an offer to become education portfolio holder.
While Grant refused to comment directly about the administration offer, council leader Martin Dowey confirmed the move had been agreed. It was a position Grant held when the SNP was in power.
At the same time, Dowey confirmed that the current holder of that portfolio, Cllr Stephen Ferry, had quit the Tories.
An SNP source said that the group had been left stunned and had no previous inkling that Grant was to resign, let alone jump ship.
They added that some felt that the loss of a portfolio he loved had been tough for Grant, and that he had simply "chose the portfolio over the party".
A spokesperson for the SNP group in South Ayrshire said: “After being re-elected SNP group leader and proudly campaigning for the party in the General Election, it is surprising and disappointing to see William choosing to prop up a Tory administration – a party scrambling about for leaders in Holyrood and Westminster after being kicked out of government following years of chaos and incompetence.
“While wish Cllr Grant well in his new role, the SNP will continue to stand up for local families and services in South Ayrshire as a strong and effective opposition to the Tory administration.”
Grant, who has represented Maybole and North Carrick since 2012, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he remained "supportive of a strong Scotland" but that he had "grown apart from the SNP" ultimately leading to his resignation.
He wouldn’t be pressed on claims about an administration role, simply stating that any changes to positions within the administration would be decided by councillors at a future full council meeting.
Conservative council leader Dowey claimed that he only approached Grant when he heard he was resigning from the SNP – and following Ferry’s resignation from both the position and the Conservative party.
He said: “My current portfolio holder has resigned from being portfolio holder and from the Conservative group and I have asked William to be education portfolio holder. ”
Dowey said that his offer had been accepted subject to approval of the full council on August 19.
He added: “Stephen did a good job and when William became available, it was a no brainer for me.
"He is vastly experienced and he is now independent. While we couldn’t work in a leadership role with the SNP we worked well behind the scenes.”
Grant was only elected leader of the SNP group a year ago following the retirement of Peter Henderson.
Depute leader Julie Dettbarn will take over the interim leadership ahead of an election.
In the two years since the last local election there have been several changes to the political makeup of South Ayrshire Council.
Conservative Alan Lamont won a by-election in Girvan after former leader Henderson’s retirement.
SNP Councillor Chris Cullen left to join Alba, while his party colleague Mark Dixon jumped ship to join the Scottish Greens, leaving just five SNP members, the same as the Labour group.
