Labour group leader in Aberdeen 'disappointed' over meeting leak

The leader of Aberdeen's suspended Labour group has said she is "disappointed" that details of meetings with party officials have been leaked.

The nine members were suspended by the party when they formed a Conservative coalition in May.

Details have been reported of talks between the councillors and Scottish Labour general secretary Brian Roy.

Jenny Laing said of the Aberdeen Evening Express story: "I'm obviously disappointed that there's been a leak."

Extracts reported in the newspaper suggest that Labour councillors claimed that they were leading "inexperienced" Conservative coalition partners, that Ms Laing - the authority's co-leader - was the "de-facto" leader of the council, and "the Tories more or less go along with what she says".

'Laugh it off'

Responding to the story, she said: "We obviously have nine councillors on Aberdeen City Council, eight of whom have been councillors before.

"It's safe to say we were bringing experience to our coalition partnership.

"I'm obviously disappointed that there's been a leak, but I don't think the Aberdeen public are particularly bothered about a spat between Scottish Labour and Aberdeen Labour."

Conservative group leader and council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said: "I think at the start of the administration we were inexperienced, but that has changed we are finding our feet very fast and we are playing our part fully within this administration.

"Of course they would try and say everything that they can to get back into the (Labour) group. It's no real surprise for me and I sort of laugh it off to be honest."

Aberdeen SNP group leader Stephen Flynn said: "With friends like these, I'm sure the Tories will be asking themselves whether they actually need enemies."

Labour's Scottish executive committee said the councillors would be given the chance to show a commitment to challenging austerity during the budget process next year.

The matter will be kept under review until then.

The SNP is the largest group at the council but is in opposition.