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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Council leader Purcell steps down | Council leader Purcell steps down |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The Labour leader of Scotland's biggest local authority, Glasgow City Council, has stepped down. | The Labour leader of Scotland's biggest local authority, Glasgow City Council, has stepped down. |
| Steven Purcell tendered his resignation at a special meeting of the council's Labour group. | Steven Purcell tendered his resignation at a special meeting of the council's Labour group. |
| A spokesman for the 37-year-old, who has led the local authority for almost five years, said he was suffering from stress and exhaustion. | |
| The new acting leader Jim Coleman described Mr Purcell's resignation as a "sad day" for Glasgow. | The new acting leader Jim Coleman described Mr Purcell's resignation as a "sad day" for Glasgow. |
| Councillor Coleman, who was Mr Purcell's deputy, takes up the position until councillors elect a permanent replacement. | Councillor Coleman, who was Mr Purcell's deputy, takes up the position until councillors elect a permanent replacement. |
| 'Business as usual' | |
| He said: "The Labour group has accepted Councillor Purcell's resignation as leader. | |
| "What's important now is that the people of Glasgow know that, as far as the council is concerned, it's business as usual. | |
| "The administration will continue to provide leadership for the city as a whole. As always, our focus is firmly on Glasgow's priorities." | |
| Mr Purcell's colleagues were said to have become aware he was considering resignation on Saturday. | Mr Purcell's colleagues were said to have become aware he was considering resignation on Saturday. |
| We hope Steven makes a full recovery Labour Party spokesman | We hope Steven makes a full recovery Labour Party spokesman |
| He then confirmed his intention to step down late on Monday evening. | |
| It is believed Mr Purcell has quit the high-profile post for personal reasons after concerns about his health were raised by his friends and family. | It is believed Mr Purcell has quit the high-profile post for personal reasons after concerns about his health were raised by his friends and family. |
| Glasgow City Council has been contacted by lawyers representing Mr Purcell and have agreed to make no official statement on his health. | Glasgow City Council has been contacted by lawyers representing Mr Purcell and have agreed to make no official statement on his health. |
| It has been reported that the recent expenses controversy at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, which has led to several resignations, has put him under enormous pressure. | It has been reported that the recent expenses controversy at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, which has led to several resignations, has put him under enormous pressure. |
| He is also said to have been exhausted by the preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. | He is also said to have been exhausted by the preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. |
| It is thought Mr Purcell, who has previously been tipped to become a future Labour leader at Holyrood or an MP, will stay on as a councillor. | It is thought Mr Purcell, who has previously been tipped to become a future Labour leader at Holyrood or an MP, will stay on as a councillor. |
| Earlier a Scottish Labour Party spokesman said: "We respect Mr Purcell's statement indicating that he intends to resign and so the Labour group on the council will meet today to ensure that all its business can be properly carried out. | Earlier a Scottish Labour Party spokesman said: "We respect Mr Purcell's statement indicating that he intends to resign and so the Labour group on the council will meet today to ensure that all its business can be properly carried out. |
| "We hope Steven makes a full recovery." | "We hope Steven makes a full recovery." |