The SNP has lost control of North Lanarkshire Council – following a knife-edge leadership contest decided by a single vote after one of their own councillors voted against them.
Labour is now returning to form a minority administration at the Civic Centre in Motherwell after winning 38-37 in this afternoon’s dramatic vote to fill the leadership vacancy created when Jordan Linden of the SNP resigned after two months in the post following claims of sexual harassment.
It saw second-placed party Labour gain the support of the Conservative group, British Unionist member, and in a dramatic twist, that of veteran Airdrie South SNP councillor Michael Coyle – which swung the ballot and ousted his own party from power after less than three months in administration.
