Labour beats SNP in by-election after councillor sexual assault claims

The election was called after the resignation of Jordan Linden, who was accused of sexual assault.

Labour beats SNP in Bellhsill North Lanarkshire Council by-election after Jordan Linden allegations NLC

The Labour Party has won a seat in North Lanarkshire Council in a by-election that was called after an SNP councillor stepped down due to sexual assault allegations.

Jordan Linden resigned as council leader in July which led to a collapse of the SNP administration.

In March he quit as a councillor following more claims of groping and misconduct, which he denies.

Five men had complained about the politician. Police confirmed in May they were looking into one of the allegations.

The Bellshill seat was won by Anne McCorry with 1,440 votes, nearly double the amount the SNP’s Joseph Budd gained at 753.

Scottish Conservative candidate Colin Cameron received 236 votes.

Some 2,778 votes were cast in the by-election with a turnout of 22.7%.

Labour gained 51.8% of the vote, up 13 percentage points from the 2022 election.

The SNP was down by 13.7 points to 27.1%.

After the results were declared, Sarwar said on Twitter: “Incredible result! Congratulations to @ScottishLabour’s newest Councillor, Anne McCrory.”

Des Murray, returning officer in the by-election, said: “I would like to congratulate Anne McCrory on her election, and I look forward to seeing her at the next council meeting.”

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