LABOUR will today forge ahead with forming a minority administration to run Inverclyde Council after rejecting a coalition offer from the SNP.

Group leader Stephen McCabe has turned down an offer from nationalist counterpart Chris McEleny for the parties to join forces.

It comes ahead of a meeting later today when all 22 elected members will meet for the first time since the election on May 5.

They will vote on a new administration and councillors will also be appointed to key roles such as leader, depute, provost and committee conveners.

Mr McEleny put forward his power-sharing proposals to Labour on Tuesday night.

But Councillor McCabe said: “After taking soundings from the local party we have rejected his offer and will now proceed to seek to form a minority administration.

“We are, however, open to further dialogue with the SNP group as to how we might work together in the best interests of Inverclyde.”

There was no clear winner following the council election but Labour do have the edge with eight councillors ahead of the SNP with seven, four independents, two Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat.

Mr McEleny’s plans were designed to freeze out the Conservatives after the Tele revealed last week how senior Tory David Wilson has been offered the depute provost job in return for supporting a minority Labour administration.

But Councillor McCabe will now go it alone with his group.

Cllr McEleny said: “I’m bitterly disappointed that the opportunity to work together in partnership for the good of Inverclyde has been rejected for what would seem the good of the Labour party.

“People will be very disappointed to learn that a new type of politics of people working together in partnership has been rejected in Inverclyde and instead the council will now likely be run by the Labour party propped up by the Conservatives.”