SCOTLAND'S largest council has faced a day of trauma following the suspension of one of its senior officers and a political resignation which leaves the ruling Labour administration's majority teetering on the brink.

Glasgow City Council announced it had suspended its £120,000-a-year-plus head of land and environmental services Brian Devlin pending an internal investigation, understood to focus on the award of contracts.

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Mr Devlin had recently returned to work following a period of ill health amid claims of low morale and deep divisions between senior members of the administration and top officers.

It is understood Mr Devlin's lap top has been retained by the council as part of the probe. The council's opposition SNP group is to call for answers on what the department's political chief, Labour's Elaine McDougall, has known about the issues surrounding the suspension.

The Herald:

The announcement followed the unrelated resignation of former chief whip and chair of the Labour group, Aileen Colleran, who will continue as an independent until next year's local elections.

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Ms Colleran, who is married to SNP MP Chris Stephens, cited disillusion with the party nationally and personal circumstances, including claims she has been treated with “suspicion and mistrust”.

Her resignation, combined with a number of suspensions and by-election defeats, has brought the Labour administration within a seat or so of losing its overall majority on the council.

A coup or vote of no-confidence in council leader Frank McAveety is unlikely, whoever it is certain to add a burden to what is expected to be a tumultuous year for the authority in the run up to next year's council poll.

Meanwhile, the council has also u-turned on its attempts to alter some the workforce terms and conditions for thousands of staff as part of efforts to save £4.5million.

The Herald: Picture: Colin Templeton..29/10/15 GMB workers protest against cuts to budgets and jobs, outside Glasgow's city chambers...Picture: Colin Templeton..

The GMB had already voted overwhelming in favour of striking, with Unison, the council's biggest union, also balloting members on industrial action.

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A email from council chief executive Annmarie O'Donnell to staff said: "The council’s administration has decided to withdraw proposals to replace some public holidays with annual leave, having made significant progress delivering budget savings.

"The council has to save £130m over two years, but current budget out-turns are stronger than expected at this stage."

One of Scottish local government's most senior officers, Mr Devlin has been responsible for around 3000 staff with a remit covering cleansing, bin collection, park, roads to environmental health and trading standards.

He previously served as both director of regeneration services and director of environment at Stirling Council and was also business director with civil engineering and support services giant Amey.

Insiders say concerns have also been raised about Mr Devlin’s general conduct and performance in the City Chambers, while others have claimed politicians have been attempting to build a case against him.

The Herald: City Chambers in George Square , Glasgow..Picture Martin Shields ..16.9.2003.

A council spokesman said: “The executive director for land and environmental services has been suspended on a precautionary basis, pending an internal investigation.

“There will be no further comment while that investigation takes place.”

Assistant director George Gillespie will assume day-to-day operational responsibility for the service.

Meanwhile, announcing her resignation, Ms Colleran said the Labour party at all levels was "in a state of confusion" adding that what was needed was "fresh faces, thinking and vision".

She added: “The levels of mistrust and suspicion directed towards myself and widespread gossip about an imminent defection, to the point that community activists were asking me when I was planning on joining the SNP, have led me to take the step of clearing the matter up once and for all time. For the duration of my council term I will not be joining any other political party.”