Coyle backs motion but SNP group yet to meet

Michael Coyle says he will also be supporting the no-confidence motion – even though his party group are yet to decide on their official position.

SNP members will consider the motion at their scheduled meeting on Monday, with leader David Stocks instructing members that the outcome should be a “group decision”.

However, the councillor – who represents the same Airdrie South ward as suspended member David Fagan – says he had already committed to sign the motion before receiving that instruction.

Councillor Coyle told the Advertiser: “This isn’t about David Fagan or about getting rid of Jim Logue – it’s about the timescale of when this came out and the open and transparent administration that was promised.

“In principle, I’m supporting the motion because we were kept in the dark without explanation, and my ward was then let down by the fact that colleagues didn’t know and weren’t prepared.

“All elected members should have been told at the same time.

“I’d replied to Sam Love and committed myself before being told to wait for the outcome of the group meeting; but that’s my position and I don’t want to go back on my word.”

Councillor Stocks told the Advertiser: “We’ll have our meeting on Monday afternoon and decide as a group what happens and whether to go along with the motion or not.

“It has to be a group decision on what position we take; and as soon as I received the no-confidence motion, I emailed members reminding them of that and that it will be discussed on Monday.”