LISTEN: Talks To Form New Highland Council Administration

Talks are underway to form a new Highland Council administration after a group left the ruling coalition.

The Lib Dems have walked out of an alliance with the SNP and Labour.

The agreement was first establish in 2012.

The Lib Dems blamed concerns about the Nationalist's 'control and centralism' for the decision.

Both the Liberals and the SNP now say they're seeking to make new alliances to form an administration.

MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with Lib Dem group leader Councillor David Alston...

Lib Dem group leader Councillor David Alston said: "We are entering into discussion with other groups with a view to forming a new coalition.

"We have found it increasingly difficult to work with the SNP in the Highland Council as effective partners.

"We retain our respect for many individual members of the SNP group but have deep concerns about the ways in which they are increasingly muzzled by their own party."

MFR News also speaks with SNP group leader Councillor Maxine Smith and Councillor Richard Laird...

SNP group leader Councillor Maxine Smith said: "Over the 3 years, the SNP has provided the council with leadership through a difficult finacial period and has worked with every group to protect local services and to oppose the austerity agenda of the former Lib Dem/Conservative Govenment.

"The announcement that the Liberal Democracts have withdrawn from the administration obviously means the SNP now needs to examine alternatives.

"We are now in talks with other groups on the council to provide a stable, progressive coalition to continue to lead for the Highlands."