Carnoustie councillor’s switch to SNP welcomed by party

Angus Council leader Iain Gaul has welcomed Carnoustie independent councillor Bill Bowles’ decision to join the SNP.

The SNP councillor for Kirriemuir and Dean also rejected any suggestions that Mr Bowles’ seat should now be the subject of a by-election.

Mr Gaul said he had no doubts that his Carnoustie counterpart would honour his mandate as an independent, even as an SNP member.

He said: “It’s a little bit disingenuous that anyone should be calling for a by-election given that Councillor Bowles has said that he will continue as an independent councillor.”

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