SNP council chief critical of opposition's 'hissy fit'

DEPUTY council leader Steve Cardownie has hit back at criticism of SNP councillors following a meeting in the City Chambers.

The SNP councillors asked Lord Provost George Grubb to change the way the vote was taken in order to allow them to abstain from voting on who should be new interim chairman of TIE but permit them a vote on the appointment of a new chair of Lothian Buses. Anger at the change to the council's "standing orders" led to the opposition walking out of the main chamber without voting and criticising the lord provost for bowing to the SNP's demands.

However, Mr Cardownie said: "Are the public really interested in stunts like that over decisions? The lord provost ruled how the vote should be taken to try to be democratic and allow the SNP to abstain on TIE.

"These other parties didn't get their way and walked out in a hissy fit."