Provost: I was offered OBE to go
A LORD Provost has claimed he quit the Labour group in disgust after being offered an OBE to stand down.
Dundee City Council’s Labour Lord Provost, John Letford, 74, dramatically resigned from the party and said he would side with the SNP when they bid to take over the council on Monday. The move will see Labour lose control of the city for the first time in 29 years.
The SNP won a council by-election this month, giving them 14 of the city’s 29 councillors.
Mr Letford’s backing will give them control of the city. In return, the SNP have vowed he will stay as Lord Provost.
He said: “I took the request as a personal insult, an insult to the office of Lord Provost and to the people.”
He alleged Labour group leader Kevin Keenan and Depute Provost Ian Borthwick made the offer.
Yesterday Mr Keenan and Mr Borthwick denied the allegations.
Mr Keenan said: “What influence have I got... to be able to deliver an OBE or anything else?”
