A COUNCILLOR has resigned from the SNP at Glasgow City Council citing concerns over the leadership.

Russell Robertson, who defected to the SNP from Labour in 2016 and was elected as SNP councillor for East Centre ward the following year, has sent a resignation letter to Susan Aitken, leader of the council.

In the letter he states he resigns with “a heavy heart” but feels he can best serve as an independent.

Mr Robertson stated: “I can no longer serve under you as I feel you no longer have the leadership skill, qualities and above all the consensus building skills required to lead this great city.”

Read more: SNP councillor Glenn Elder resigns over claims of 'bullying and harassment' from leader's office

The resignation is the second in two weeks after Linn councillor, Glenn Elder resigned, citing “bullying and harassment” from within the SNP group.

The SNP group however believe his motivations are financial.

The resignation takes the minority SNP group's number to 37 councillors, still six ahead of Labour with 31.

Mr Robertson had criminal charges dropped against him in February of “acting in a threatening and abusive manner” towards a neighbour at his home.

His partner David O’Hara admitted charges against him.

When charged, Mr Robertson was asked to resign the SNP whip, and when cleared he was able to be readmitted and given back his Baillie title.

However, he lost his post in the administration, which came with financial remuneration which no longer existed when he returned.

An SNP source said: "The SNP and the leader stood by him when he and his partner were charged last year and through his recent legal issues. So it's deeply disappointing that he was unable to reciprocate that loyalty shown to him."

When he resigned from Labour to join the SNP, Mr Robertson, said: “For me it’s about how we run Glasgow and I feel being part of the SNP group and the party as a whole is about change.

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“I feel the SNP are fresh and they’re about listening. That’s been the drivers for me to join.

“I also believe that if SNP members in the group come up with ideas they’ll be acted on.”

An SNP group spokesperson said: "It was right that Russell was asked to stand down from his paid position when he was charged last year. It seems he had an expectation that he would be re-instated to that same paid position.

"No-one elected as a representative of their community is owed a living beyond their core pay.

"It is very sad indeed that he has chosen to resign because of loss of privilege."

Opposition parties have reacted to the resignation.

Thomas Kerr, Tory group deputy leader, said: “This is yet another blow to Susan Aitken and the SNP in Glasgow. To lose one councillor could be regarded as misfortune, to lose two Councillors looks like carelessness and it is clear that this minority administration is in turmoil over this.”