SNP group leader pulls out of Aberdeen interview panels

Stephen Flynn is the SNP group leader

The SNP group leader on Aberdeen City Council has pulled out of the interview panels to appoint four new senior directors at the local authority.

Directors for customer service, operations, resources and a chief operating officer are being appointed.

Stephen Flynn said councillors should be front and centre of the democratic process to select new senior officials, but claimed that has not happened.

The council said the process was in line with full council instruction.

Mr Stephen informed chief executive Angela Scott that he was withdrawing from the selection interviews.

He said elected members had been excluded from much of the short-listing.

A council spokeswoman said: "The recruitment process is being carried out in accordance with the instruction from full council in August."