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Council leader Purcell steps down Council leader Purcell steps down
(about 1 hour later)
The Labour leader of Scotland's biggest local authority, Glasgow City Council, has stepped down. The former leader of Glasgow City Council is being treated in hospital for what his advisers described as "exhaustion".
Steven Purcell's resignation was announced at a special meeting of the council's Labour group.Steven Purcell's resignation was announced 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. Lawyers representing the 37-year-old politician said he was stressed from the Commonwealth Games and troubles at Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT).
The new acting leader Jim Coleman described Mr Purcell's resignation as a "sad day" for Glasgow. He has been replaced by his former deputy, Councillor Jim Coleman.
Mr Coleman, who was Mr Purcell's deputy, will fill the position until councillors elect a permanent replacement. Mr Coleman described Mr Purcell's resignation as a "sad day" for Glasgow.
In a statement issued on behalf of the former leader, Peter Watson, of Levy & McRae solicitors said: "Earlier this morning Steven made the effort to telephone his resignation as leader of Glasgow City Council.
"Steven does this with a heavy heart but the strain of running one of the UK's largest authorities combined with the added pressures of the Commonwealth Games planning and the controversy over Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) has just proved too much for a man who lived and breathed Glasgow 24 hours a day."
'Business as usual''Business as usual'
He said: "The Labour group has accepted Councillor Purcell's resignation as leader. Mr Watson added: "We have received an enormous groundswell of support from all sides of the political spectrum for Steven for which he is very grateful. His family would now like him to be left in peace to recover his health.
"What's important now is that the people of Glasgow know that, as far as the council is concerned, it's business as usual. "It is now up to the Labour Group to decide what is the best way forward for their party, and the people of Glasgow, and I know Steven wishes them well in their deliberations."
The administration will continue to provide leadership for the city as a whole. As always, our focus is firmly on Glasgow's priorities Cllr Jim ColemanInterim council leader
Councillor Coleman, who was Mr Purcell's deputy, will fill the position until councillors elect a permanent replacement, probably after the general election.
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.""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 was not at the short meeting of the Labour councillors, in which they were told of his decision to step down.Mr Purcell was not at the short meeting of the Labour councillors, in which they were told of his decision to step down.
He did not contact the council directly and has not been in the city chambers since Friday. His Purcell's colleagues were said to have become aware he was considering resignation on Saturday.
He hopes the people of Glasgow will appreciate what he has tried to do for the city he loves Jack Irvine Spokesman for Mr Purcell
Proceedings to elect a new permanent leader will begin later this year, probably after the general election.
Mr Purcell's colleagues were said to have become aware he was considering resignation on Saturday.
He then confirmed his intention to step down late on Monday evening.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. Earlier Jack Irvine, a spokesman for Mr Purcell said he had been "under enormous pressure".
His spokesman, Jack Irvine said the former leader had been "under enormous pressure".
Under pressureUnder pressure
He added: "Steven agreed to seek medical help immediately and subsequently he is now under doctor's orders. He added: "Steven agreed to seek medical help immediately and subsequently he is now under doctor's orders."
"He would hope to get back in to active politics in the next few weeks and months.
"He hopes the people of Glasgow will appreciate what he has tried to do for the city he loves."
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.
I regret that Steven is not going to be with me to see that great project (the 2014 Commonwealth Games) through to its completion Alex SalmondFirst ministerI regret that Steven is not going to be with me to see that great project (the 2014 Commonwealth Games) through to its completion Alex SalmondFirst minister
It has been reported that the recent expenses controversy at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, which has led to several resignations, has put him under pressure.
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. A Scottish Labour Party spokesman said: "We hope Steven makes a full recovery."
"We hope Steven makes a full recovery."
Close relatioonship
First Minister Alex Salmond, who once told Mr Purcell to "grow up", praised the Labour politician's efforts to secure the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Glasgow.First Minister Alex Salmond, who once told Mr Purcell to "grow up", praised the Labour politician's efforts to secure the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Glasgow.
He said: "That will be regarded as a fantastic achievement.He said: "That will be regarded as a fantastic achievement.
"There was great cooperation between the parties and from the city's point of view he was extremely effective in securing the Games."There was great cooperation between the parties and from the city's point of view he was extremely effective in securing the Games.
"I am quite certain that Steven's successor will want to continue that close professional relationship we established.""I am quite certain that Steven's successor will want to continue that close professional relationship we established."
He added: "I regret that Steven is not going to be with me to see that great project through to its completion."He added: "I regret that Steven is not going to be with me to see that great project through to its completion."