Scottish council elections: SNP boosted by late Argyll and Bute result

THE SNP has received a boost after a delayed local authority ballot further increased its share of the vote.

The count in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, was put back a week following the death of SNP candidate Alister MacAlister.

Polling stations shut at 10pm last night with a turnout of 41.42 per cent.

Independent Dick Walsh, received 777 votes, followed by the SNP’s Mike Breslin who won 663 first-preference votes.

A second independent, Jimmy McQueen, was also elected with 432 first-preference votes.

The council is dominated by independents, with 15, followed by 13 SNP councillors, four Conservatives and four Liberal Democrats.

The SNP had already formed an administration in coalition with independent members and local group Argyll First.

Last night’s result takes the final tally of SNP councillors to 425, with Labour on 394, the Conservatives on 115, the Lib Dems on 71 and the Greens on 14.