Lib Dems leave SNP-led Highland Council coalition Published duration 29 May 2015

image copyright Highland Council image caption Maxine Smith said the SNP group was holding talks with other councillors on the way forward for the administration

The Liberal Democrats have walked out of the SNP-led coalition running Highland Council.

The SNP formed the ruling administration with the Lib Dems and Labour in 2012.

Lib Dem group leader David Alston said the group had found it increasingly difficult to work with the Nationalists.

SNP group leader Maxine Smith said the SNP had provided the council leadership through difficult times.

She said her group had started talks with other councillors to find a way of providing the local authority with a "stable and progressive administration".

Lib Dem and Independent councillors have started exploring the possibility of forming a new coalition and ruling administration.

'Wild flowers'

Mr Alston told BBC Radio Scotland that his group had become increasingly uncomfortable being in coalition with the SNP.

He accused Nationalist councillors of being unwilling to speak out against the Scottish government on issues such as the use of armed police in routine duties and NHS funding.

With an SNP-led Scottish government and the party's landslide victory at the General Election, Mr Alston said there was a political "mono culture" in Scotland in which one party was dominant.

Mr Alston said: "I think we need a few more wild flowers.

"In political terms that means people who are prepared to put their head above the parapet, to engage in debate and not simply accept everything is a party line."

Ms Smith told BBC Radio Scotland that the SNP had worked with other groups to protect council services and "oppose the austerity agenda of the former Lib Dem-Conservative Westminster government".

She said: "Over the last few years the SNP has provided the council with leadership through a difficult financial period."

Ms Smith was made the council's SNP group leader following the election of its former leader Drew Hendry as an MP.

In a tweet, Mr Hendry said: "Just heard about the Lib dem shenanigans @HighlandCouncil. Looks like the Lib Dems in Highland want to finish the job of self destructing."

Meanwhile, North, West and Central Sutherland councillor Linda Munro has resigned from Highland Council's Lib Dem group.

She said it was with genuine regret that she had chosen to resign but that her decision was based on the needs of her ward and her capacity to meet those needs.