A SNP councillor has announced he is resigning from the party.
Jonathan McColl, who represents the Lomond Ward in West Dunbartonshire, confirmed he has left the party with immediate effect, citing the stress of being a public face of the organisation as having a "detrimental impact" on his health.
He will remain a councillor, serving as an independent.
McColl was an SNP councillor for 17 years and explained he has been "at odds with numerous decisions taken at the upper levels of the party over the past few years".
In a statement, he said: "On August 19, 2024 I tendered my resignation from the Scottish National Party. "I have been at odds with numerous decisions taken at the upper levels of the party over the past few years, some intentional policy decisions and some unfortunate missteps. "While I still fully support the stated aims and objectives of the SNP and will continue to be an outspoken advocate and campaigner for Scottish independence, the stress I live with on a daily basis as a public face of the party, is having a detrimental impact on my health. "I still remain committed to serving my constituents and for the time being, I will continue to do so as an independent councillor. "My resignation from the party is no reflection on the SNP council group whom I will support as they and I continue to hold this undemocratic, right-wing Labour administration to account. "I would like to thank colleagues in the SNP council group and members across Helensburgh, Vale of Leven, Dumbarton and Clydebank branches, who have been a great support to me personally over my 29 years as a campaigner and 26 years as a party member.
"Of those years, 17 have been as an SNP councillor with 10 of those as SNP council group Leader; it's been a great privilege to work with so many devoted SNP colleagues locally and across the country in that time. "We've been through hard times and good together. We've laughed and cried together. I still consider you all friends, and I look forward to continuing to campaign and work together for the cause of our nation's independence."
