Glasgow's Labour council is letting the city down after leader Stephen Purcell has been revealed to be cancelling meetings and clearing his diary to campaign in a local by-election.

Today's Sunday Herald (p15) reports Mr Purcell's secetary cancelling his meetings for the whole of May so he can campaign for Labour.

SNP MSP for Glasgow Bob Doris today condemned "part-time Purcell" whose actions come only days after the Labour council voted to close schools across the city and as all Scotland's local authorities are facing up to the implications of London Labour's decision to cut £500 million from investment in Scottish services.

Mr Doris said: "Glasgow needs a full time leader, not part-time Purcell.  Working a half day then back to the Labour bunker is unacceptable.

"Purcell's lack of respect for the city he represents is shameful. Though after ignoring the views of parents and families across the city to push ahead with closing schools I'm not surprised he needs to woo the public, especially if schools in Drumpchapel are next for the chop.

"As the SNP in Glasgow is working with communities to support education, to invest in jobs and to boost skills with 1000 apprenticeships in the city Labour have abandoned their constituents to concentrate on saving their own skins.

"With Labour's decision to close schools, cut teachers and refusal to reduce class sizes in Glasgow Stephen Purcell has a lot to answer for.

"If Purcell only wants to work part-time while across Glasgow people are wondering what will happen to their jobs - I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to take over from him."