Scottish council elections: SNP elect new Glasgow leader

SNP councillors have elected a new leader to lead their party on Glasgow City Council.

Graeme Hendry was elected as SNP leader of the opposition, taking over from group leader Allison Hunter.

Earlier this month the SNP faced bitter disappointment at the local elections when it failed in its bid to win control of Scotland’s largest council.

Mr Hendry was widely tipped to become the new council leader if the party took power following a series of gaffes by Ms Hunter during the election campaign including saying that winning Glasgow would be “a stepping stone to independence.”

Following his election, Mr Hendry said he was looking forward to the “twin challenges” of challenging Labour on its manifesto and ensuring better communication between the council and those living in the city.

He said: “I would like to thank my fellow councillors for placing their faith in me and in the rest of the leadership team. Our work begins now to put in place a team of spokespeople from this talented group which will continue to hold Labour to account and start the process of developing ideas that will help this great city.