Aberdeen Council Labour group to remain suspended

A group of councillors in Aberdeen City Council will remain suspended from the Scottish Labour party until the next election in 2022, it has been confirmed.

The nine councillors were initially suspended in 2017 when they formed a coalition with Conservatives on the council, against the instructions of the then-leader, Kezia Dugdale.

The group was referred to the Labour’s national constitutional committee, which is considering ending their membership.

Today, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said the suspension showed that: "serious rule breaches will result in serious repercussions".

"It is disappointing that the nine councillors in three and a half years have offered neither regret nor a resolution to avoid this decision," he added.

"I have expressed my frustration before that this case has taken so long to be brought to a conclusion. Now it is time to move on."

The council is currently being led by a coalition of independents, Conservatives and suspended Labour councillors.

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