Bellshill Councillor is now leading SNP at North Lanarkshire Council

The changes, which occurred during the SNP group annual general meeting, have also seen Councllor Fiona Fotheringham take on the role of depute leader of the group.Council leader Jim Logue was first to comment on the changes, saying: “The SNP’s change of leadership is no surprise.“With their budget failure last week allied to two crushing defeats in one day in by-elections in Thorniewood and Fortissat, the SNP in North Lanarkshire are a group in disarray. I wish Jordan Linden the best of luck in his new role. He’ll certainly need it.”Former group leader Councillor Tom Johnston, who has not indicated any intention to withdraw from elected office prior to next year’s elections, says he voluntarily gave up the leadership. He added: “I congratulate my colleague Councillor Jordan Linden on becoming leader of the SNP group in North Lanarkshire.“In the week prior to the AGM of the SNP group, I intimated that I would not be seeking re-nomination as group leader.“Last November I spent a full month in hospital with a recovery period thereafter. I also suffered from a very close family bereavement at Christmas. We spend a lot of time with our two young grandchildren. All these factors led me to my decision not to re-stand as group leader.“I have great confidence in the younger members of our 29-strong SNP opposition Group and have no qualms about handing over to them.“The hypocrisy however, of Councillor Jim Logue foolishly forgets that he caused a total riot in the Labour Group when he ousted Jim McCabe as Labour group leader.“Ten Labour councillors immediately left the group and sought a coalition with the SNP in 2016. The ten stood as independents against Logue at the 2017 Council election. Since 2017, three members have resigned from the Labour Group and now vote quite frequently for SNP motions.Councillor Linden said: “I was privileged to take up the mantle and I thank him for the opportunity to work with him over the last two years.“Tom and I along with our entire group are utterly committed to delivering for our local communities.”​​​​