THE leader of one of Scotland's largest councils has ordered his members to cease cooperation with opposition politicians, describing them as "like rats in a sack".

 

South Lanarkshire's Eddie McAvoy told his counterpart in the SNP that Labour would only work with them during official meetings, a move his opponents say effectively bans them from cross-party work in communities, civic groups or outside bodies.

The Labour stalwart was reacting to the failure of the SNP to back his administration's budget, which saw savings of nearly £20million implemented included several controversial cuts to education.

The SNP has backed Labour's budget in recent years. But consensus within the council has been dealt a blow on the back of the Referendum and the budget wranglings, with the leader's claims sparking a breakdown in the communications.

In an email sent to SNP group leader Ann Maggs in recent days Mr McAvoy accuses his political opponents of "an abject betrayal of the residents in South Lanarkshire" for refusing to back his cuts.

He added: "I have tried to be accommodating in the past but I don't see why local residents should suffer any more because your group is fighting like rats in a sack. Therefore I have to tell you that Labour group members will no longer be involved with SNP members at any level of the council apart from official meetings."

South Lanarkshire agreed its budget over a week ago, making £18.1million in cuts including removing additional teachers keeping P1 and P2 class sizes at no more than 18 children, a proposal which hit schools with some of the authority's most deprived catchments.

Central Scotland SNP MSP Christina McKelvie accused Mr McAvoy of being "both childish and disruptive".

She added: The SNP group has supported all previous council budgets. This year, cutting qualified teachers from vital early learning services is a step too far.

"Some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in this county are now to be deprived of specialist teaching that supports children with autism and other learning difficulties to get a good start in life.

"When it comes to defending the interest of people in South Lanarkshire, Mr McAvoy is a case of the pot calling the kettle black."