SNP asks leading Glenrothes councillor to resign hours after taking control of committee

Glenrothes’ new leading councillor was asked to resign just hours after taking control of the town’s decision-making body today.

Independent councillor Bill Brown was elected chair of the Glenrothes area committee amidst extraordinary scenes at Fife House.

The group’s SNP leadership was deposed by rival Labour Party members, who nominated Mr Brown to take the helm.

Despite the SNP’s win in last Thursday’s local by-election, the party had no majority with which to oppose councillor Brown’s appointment, making him the committee’s fifth chair in under three years.

However, Mr Brown, who left the SNP earlier this year, has already faced a call to stand down from his former colleagues within hours of taking up his post, claiming he should face re-election having left the party.

Despite pressure from his former colleagues, Mr Brown has called for unity upon taking the chair.

He said: “I don’t need to say why I left the SNP and I’m not prepared to do that.

“People can laugh or joke but that won’t stop me from doing my job or my duty.”

For the full story see Thursday’s edition of The Courier.