A MAN is due to stand trial for killing former councillor John Morrison days before Christmas last year.

Darren Murphy was due to appear yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow charged with the culpable homicide of the ex-Lib Dem leader.

But he was not present when the case called and was represented by advocate Dale Hughes.

Mr Murphy is accused of punching Mr Morrison, from Milngavie, on the head at Dunlop Street, Glasgow, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the ground, killing him.

The 25-year-old, from Glasgow's east end, also faces a charge of possession of ecstasy within the Arches Nightclub and London Road, Argyle Street and Midland Street, Glasgow on December 21 and 22, 2012.

He faces a further charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by instructing a man not to tell police he had punched Mr Morrison.

Pleas of not guilty were entered and a special defence of self defence was lodged.

Mr Murphy is due to stand trial in December at the High Court in Glasgow.

Mr Morrison, 50, led East Dunbartonshire Council from 2003 to 2007.