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SNP councillor defects to Labour SNP councillor defects to Labour
(about 5 hours later)
A SNP councillor in South Lanarkshire has quit the party and defected to Labour.A SNP councillor in South Lanarkshire has quit the party and defected to Labour.
Councillor John McNamee said he no longer believed in independence and was disillusioned by the in-fighting and lack of vision at local level.Councillor John McNamee said he no longer believed in independence and was disillusioned by the in-fighting and lack of vision at local level.
He had been under investigation by the local SNP group over his expenses and allegations of inappropriate behaviour.He had been under investigation by the local SNP group over his expenses and allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The councillor denied this had anything to do with his decision to move to Labour.The councillor denied this had anything to do with his decision to move to Labour.
Mr McNamee, who represents the Blantyre area, said he had been considering leaving the SNP for some time and had met with senior Labour party officials in South Lanarkshire to discuss the matter.Mr McNamee, who represents the Blantyre area, said he had been considering leaving the SNP for some time and had met with senior Labour party officials in South Lanarkshire to discuss the matter.
He said: "This was not a snap decision. I am quite well-travelled and have seen a bit of the world and I just think that independence is not the right option for Scotland right now.He said: "This was not a snap decision. I am quite well-travelled and have seen a bit of the world and I just think that independence is not the right option for Scotland right now.
"The current global economic crisis has brought that into sharp focus."The current global economic crisis has brought that into sharp focus.
"Scotland is better in a bigger union in terms of trading and the economy.""Scotland is better in a bigger union in terms of trading and the economy."
I got into politics to be part of something bigger than myself and sadly with the SNP at local level that is not what you get Councillor John McNameeI got into politics to be part of something bigger than myself and sadly with the SNP at local level that is not what you get Councillor John McNamee
The councillor said other issues had also been bothering him including the Scottish government's approach to decisions affecting the west of Scotland.The councillor said other issues had also been bothering him including the Scottish government's approach to decisions affecting the west of Scotland.
He said: "The decision not to allocate money for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link was a very poor and short-sighted one, and was representative of the SNP only spending money in their traditional homelands, in the east and the north of Scotland."He said: "The decision not to allocate money for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link was a very poor and short-sighted one, and was representative of the SNP only spending money in their traditional homelands, in the east and the north of Scotland."
A spokeswoman for the SNP said Mr McNamee had been facing "disciplinary proceedings" after concerns were raised about his expense claims and use of council travel allowances.A spokeswoman for the SNP said Mr McNamee had been facing "disciplinary proceedings" after concerns were raised about his expense claims and use of council travel allowances.
He was also being investigated over allegations of "inappropriate behaviour at a recent social function which he attended in an official capacity".He was also being investigated over allegations of "inappropriate behaviour at a recent social function which he attended in an official capacity".
Full inquiry
She added: "If these allegations were to be true, Cllr McNamee's conduct would have fallen well short of the standard expected of an elected member.She added: "If these allegations were to be true, Cllr McNamee's conduct would have fallen well short of the standard expected of an elected member.
"Labour must conduct a full inquiry into these concerns before considering Cllr McNamee's application further.""Labour must conduct a full inquiry into these concerns before considering Cllr McNamee's application further."
'Real headache'
But Mr McNamee dismissed the suggestion that the investigation had prompted his resignation from the party and described it as "sour grapes from the SNP".But Mr McNamee dismissed the suggestion that the investigation had prompted his resignation from the party and described it as "sour grapes from the SNP".
He described the nationalists at local level as "all over the place."He described the nationalists at local level as "all over the place."
He added: "I got into politics to be part of something bigger than myself and sadly with the SNP at local level that is not what you get.He added: "I got into politics to be part of something bigger than myself and sadly with the SNP at local level that is not what you get.
"You get arguments, you get division and you get back-biting."You get arguments, you get division and you get back-biting.
"The Labour Party are delivering in South Lanarkshire and the unity of the group is excellent.""The Labour Party are delivering in South Lanarkshire and the unity of the group is excellent."
Mr McNamee said he was due to meet with the council leader, Councillor Eddie McAvoy, later to be officially welcomed to the Labour group. A Labour spokesman said: "We know the SNP leadership has been under fire from their own members over GARL and now it seems from their elected representatives too.
"Coming ahead of a general election the SNP's neglect of whole parts of Scotland is a real headache for them.
"Mr McNamee's comments on separating the country from the rest of the UK will be welcomed by the vast majority of Scots, even though it will cause fury amongst the SNP party machine."