An EAST Renfrewshire councillor has quit the SNP after deciding she “could no longer continue to work” as part of the council group.

Annette Ireland, who represents the Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood ward, will now sit as an independent member on East Renfrewshire Council.

She said it had been the “greatest privilege” to be elected under the SNP banner in 2017 and 2022 but has taken the “incredibly difficult decision” to resign.

Councillor Ireland added: “I will absolutely not be going into the specifics of the local circumstances that led to this choice, only that I concluded that I could no longer continue to work as part of the SNP council group in East Renfrewshire.”

There are now three independent councillors in East Renfrewshire, while Labour, the SNP and the Conservatives all have five members.

Councillor Ireland said: “The SNP has been my political home for almost 10 years now and this change signifies a fundamental personal shift for me – one that I’ve carefully considered and given a great deal of thought to.

“It has always been the vehicle through which I’ve fought for Scotland’s much-needed independence, strived for positive change here locally, worked hard for a better, fairer future for residents, sought to protect local jobs and services and worked towards improved environmental policies.

“My passion for that vision remains as strong as ever.”

Councillor Ireland added that it had been an honour to collaborate with “many immensely talented, hard working and inspiring colleagues throughout the party.”

She also said she wished “nothing but personal happiness and professional success to my former colleagues.”

In her statement, Councillor Ireland insisted her decision to quit the SNP had not been taken lightly but added that it was “entirely my own and driven by my personal reflections.”

“I deeply care about the people and places I have been elected to represent,” she said.

“I believe this decision provides the best opportunity for me to make a positive difference in the local communities of Clarkston, Netherlee, Busby, Stamperland and Williamwood and across East Renfrewshire Council in the years to come.”

In response to Councillor Ireland’s decision, a spokesman for the SNP group in East Renfrewshire said: “Councillor Ireland has resigned from the party and has chosen to go forward as an independent councillor.

“We wish her well for the future.”

The other independent councillors in East Renfrewshire are Danny Devlin, who represents Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor, and David Macdonald, who represents the same ward as Councillor Ireland.