FM BLASTS LABOUR DEALS WITH TORIES

Party accused of stitch-ups to lock out SNP

- PAUL HUTCHEON

NICOLA Sturgeon has accused Labour of doing "backroom deals" with the Tories to secure control of councils.

The First Minister blasted Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar after it emerged his party will run local authorities such as Stirling, Fife and South Lanarkshire following support from pro-UK parties.

Coalition agreements have dominated local government in recent years but pre-election bans are said to be causing havoc with the ability of councils to govern.

Sarwar ruled out formal coalitions with the SNP or Tories, despite previous deals with Nicola Sturgeon's party.

In many areas, the SNP came first without winning an overall majority, a situation that will allow Labour to take control as a minority.