AN SNP-run local authority has been dealt another significant blow in the space of a month with the resignation from the party of a leading councillor.

Michael Breslin, head of education at Argyll and Bute – Scottish Government minister Mike Russell's constituency – said in a letter to fellow councillors that he was quitting the administration over a number of issues.

It comes just one month after former leader Roddy McCuish stood down, claiming he was doing so to spend more time in his ward.

Mr Breslin cited the closure of a care home in Dunoon, "the operating style of [council leader] James Robb which I find unacceptable", and "the apparent willingness of a few of the group to downplay their key role in challenging and scrutinising what comes from the officials".

He said: "I emphasise we have a number of excellent, hard-working members of the SNP group. However, the tenor and ethos should come from the leader and that's where the problem lies. I sincerely hope for the sake of everyone that the rest of the group wakes up soon and realises that it has created its own problems by not listening."

Mr Robb said: "I have expressed my hope to Michael that in the future we can find other ways to work together on matters of common interest and for the benefit of all the people of Argyll and Bute."

An SNP spokesman said: "We regret that Cllr Breslin has decided to resign for local reasons, and we wish him well for the future."