Independents ousted from power in north

HIGHLAND Council’s largest political group was ousted last night – as the area’s three minority parties banded together to form a new rainbow coalition.

The shock move came after a second day of tense political wrangling in the wake of Friday’s local authority elections.

The SNP, Liberal Democrats and Labour have 44 members, giving them a combined majority over the 36-strong Independents, who will now be forced into opposition.

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