JUST one of more than a dozen sitting Glasgow Labour councillors who appealed against the party decision to de-select them has been successful, with clear signs of mutiny already emerging among those still axed.
Paul Carey, who represents Drumchapel, had been one of those expected to be successful in their appeals but the failure by 13 colleagues to get on the list of candidates for the 2012 elections has been seen as an indication of Labour’s determination to clear out councillors it believes are not up to the job.
In all, 16 members of Glasgow’s Labour administration fell victim to the cull, with a further eight retiring or standing down due to ill-health or because of their dual role as MSPs.
With some threatening legal challenges, defections, standing as independents or forming breakaway groups, the party and council leadership will have a major headache keeping the disaffected in check.
One previously uber-loyal elected member has already staged a one-man revolt, with a reshuffle also in the offing to keep several of those de-selected away from influential positions.
Jim Todd, who represents the Springburn area, and collected £15,000 as chairman of City Building, on Tuesday voted against party wishes and appointed an alternative candidate to the post of managing director of the body.
The Herald understands Mr Todd was expected to support the appointment of City Building’s director of operations to the £120,000-a-year post, but used his casting vote to give the job to the body’s head of finance.
Mr Todd then cleared his desk in a move colleagues claim was “two fingers” to City Council leader Gordon Matheson.
Senior sources within the administration last night told The Herald several sitting councillors would be stood down from their positions within the authority in the coming days.
These include head of planning, John Flanagan, who successfully fought a legal battle against de-selection in the past, and his vice-chairman, Euan McLeod, a close friend of former council leader Steven Purcell.
Also touted to be removed from his role as vice-chairman of the city’s licensing board is Andy Muir, another close friend of Mr Purcell.
Mr Muir was recently interviewed by the authority’s finance department over an allegation of unpaid council tax, three weeks after complaining to police about the financial set-up in the office of his former employer, ex-minister Frank McAveety.
A source said: “A mini reshuffle is being planned to avoid any upheaval from people who might be on their way out. If people are being awkward they can’t be chairing quasi-judicial, public facing bodies such as planning or licensing.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “Being a Labour councillor is not a job for life and it is Labour Party members in Glasgow who choose who to stand as a candidate. We take nothing for granted in these council elections and we will field Glasgow’s finest to fight for every vote.”
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