Nicola Sturgeon's mother quits as provost after power shift

Nicola Sturgeon's mother has quit as provost of North Ayrshire Council as the authority's SNP group resigned control of the administration.

Joan Sturgeon stepped down as North Ayrshires provost. Picture: Getty Images

Joan Sturgeon’s decision to step down comes after the First Minister’s father, Robin, failed to be elected as a councillor last week.

Labour’s Louise McPhater won the Irvine West by-election on Thursday sparked by SNP councillor Ruth Maguire’s election as an MSP.

The win gave the Labour group more elected members than the SNP by 12 to 11. The remaining seven councillors are six independents and one Conservative.

In a statement, the SNP group said: “Given that the SNP group no longer command the largest representation on the council, it is only right that Labour be given the opportunity to form the next administration of the council.

“Accordingly, the SNP group has taken the difficult decision to resign from administration to allow Labour the opportunity to form an administration.”