Labour says ruling group is ‘shambles’

LABOUR councillors in 
Midlothian have branded the SNP-independent administration a shambles after finance convener Peter de Vink quit his post.

Councillor de Vink, who has admitted he was surprised to win his seat as an independent at the local elections earlier this year, said he was resigning from the council’s cabinet because he found the role frustrating and his business and health were suffering.

His move came after council leader Lisa Beatttie stepped down from her role after just five weeks in the job, amid rumours of in-fighting in the SNP group, and another cabinet member also stood down.

Councillor Derek Milligan, leader of the opposition Labour group, branded the situation a farce.

He said: “The public in Midlothian are once again left in the dark as to what is really going on within this administration.

“It seems there is no end to this shambles. This is unbelievably embarrassing for the administration.

“Since the first council meeting a mere 15 weeks ago cabinet membership has gone from six to five to four, then back to six and now down to five again.

“We have never had a truthful explanation as to why Cllr Beattie resigned and now there is another mysterious fall-out.”