Former SNP councillor hits back at claims he was dumped by party after 44 years

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A local councillor who left the SNP last week after more than four decades has blasted claims that he was ditched as a candidate for colluding with Tory councillors.

As reported in Friday’s Stirling Observer, Bannockburn ward councillor Alasdair MacPherson, an SNP councillor for more than 15 years and a member of the party for 44 years, announced that he had submitted his resignation last Wednesday morning citing differences with the party “at local and national level”.The controversial move last year by the SNP/Labour administration to introduce collection of grey bins and blue bins every four weeks instead of fortnightly was said to have played a part in his decision.He now intends to stand as an independent in the ward.However, Stirling SNP has since claimed he was removed as a candidate as a result of “serious misconduct” and plotting with the Tories.Stirling SNP spokesperson Grant Thoms told the Observer: “After his approval and confirmation as the SNP candidate for Bannockburn ward, evidence came to light of serious misconduct on the part of Alasdair MacPherson, involving prolonged negotiation and plotting with the Stirling Tories to remove the Stirling Council SNP/Labour administration from office earlier in this term.“This represents a severe breach of trust between Mr MacPherson and the party, and is completely disdainful to the hard-working members and supporters who elected him to office as an SNP councillor.“Alasdair’s nomination was terminated by the party in light of the evidence presented.

Stirling SNP will be standing replacement candidates, and will offer voters a positive vision for Stirling’s future.”Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.However, Councillor MacPherson said this