The SNP has called for a review of council appointments to posts that are politically restricted after it was revealed failed Labour minister Tom McCabe was made a policy advisor to Glasgow City Council.

Mr McCabe, who played a key role in Glasgow Labour’s council election campaign, is now policy advisor to Land and Environmental Services in GCC – a politically neutral role.

Graeme Hendry, Leader of the Glasgow SNP Group, is urging for “complete transparency” on all the issues surrounding the post – in particular what discussions Mr McCabe had about the role prior to the election.

Councillor Hendry said: “When you take into account Mr McCabe’s background as a former Labour minister and spearheading Labour’s council election campaign, his appointment to a post that is supposed to be politically neutral is deeply worrying.

“That is why I am urging for a review of the procedure of council appointments that are politically restricted.

“We need complete transparency on this matter – was this role advertised, what measures are in place to ensure the politically-neutral post is operated accordingly and who does Mr McCabe report to?

“What the people of this city deserve and need to know is if there were any meetings or discussions between Mr McCabe and LES staff prior to May.

“We also need to know if the previous post holder ever met with Mr McCabe during the six months prior to the election.

“Why is it when GCC staff face a pay freeze that this failed Labour minister has been appointed to earn a reported salary of £50,000 a year.

“This appears to be a reward by the Labour party for his work during the election period.”