SNP and Lib Dems form coalition in Aberdeen

The SNP and Liberal Democrats have formed a coalition to take charge of Aberdeen City Council.

The agreement brings an end to the past administration, which saw Labour and the Tories work together and Labour councillors suspended by the party as a result.

The SNP won the most seats in the May 5 vote, with the Lib Dems’ four seats helping to form an administration.

SNP councillor David Cameron will take the mantle of lord provost – succeeding Labour’s Barney Crockett – with Lib Dem Steve Delaney becoming deputy lord provost.

The SNP’s Alex Nicoll and Lib Dem Ian Yuill will become co-leaders of the council.

The coalition has been formed despite Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton expressing “significant anxieties” during the campaign about working with either the Tories or SNP.

But Mr Cole-Hamilton ultimately said the decision would be made at a local level.

The Aberdeen branch of the Scottish Tories has blamed the Labour ban on formal coalitions for allowing the SNP into power in the city.

“Labour’s ban on coalitions has meant that they’ve capitulated to the SNP,” a tweet from the branch said.

“Their weakness means that a party that has repeatedly failed to stand up for Aberdeen will take the reigns of our city.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said repeatedly during the election campaign his party would not enter into formal deals with other parties but he would be open to them working on singular issues with others.