MP Douglas Chapman has accused the Fife Labour group of betraying communities after they took control of Fife Council.

The local authority will now be run by a minority administration after Labour secured the support of both Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors to have their proposals voted through.

The move came despite Labour winning just 20 of the 75 council seats in the election earlier this month compared to the SNP's 34 – just four away from an overall majority.

“The SNP unquestionably won the council election in Fife, securing far more seats than any other party and finishing just short of an overall majority," said Mr Chapman.

“The SNP made clear that it’s open to working with other progressive parties to ensure communities benefit, and to mitigate the damage of Tory policies.

“Despite this, Labour has refused to engage and instead resorted to doing dirty deals with the Tories to run Fife Council.

“This is a complete stitch up, and completely betrays communities across Fife who voted to keep the Tories out.

“Labour will pay a heavy price for this undemocratic and grubby deal which is not in the interests of the people of Fife.”

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville also slammed what she described as a "pact" with the Conservatives which allowed Labour to take control.

"Labour have disregarded Fife's wishes to suit their own priority – holding on to power at any cost," she said. "People voted overwhelmingly for an SNP administration to take charge of Fife Council but Labour have schemed their way in – despite winning only 20 of the 75 seats on offer.

"Anas Sarwar was insistent before the election that Labour would not be making any pacts or deals or coalitions.

"However, it is now perfectly clear that those were empty words.

"Labour are trying to paint this as a "Minority Administration" but no one will fall for that lamentable PR spin.

"Voters wanted progressive politics not a pact with the Tories, who saw their own vote collapse because of party-gate and a refusal to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

"This is nothing more than a Better Together coalition and further proof that if you vote Labour in Fife, you'll end up with the Tories."

At Thursday's meeting, Fife Labour leader, Councillor David Ross, said their minority administration offered a "much improved governance structure" which offered member-led decision making.

He said they were not in coalition with anyone and added: "We are talking about standing up for local government and the best interest of Fife and Fife Council.

"Although the SNP won the largest number of seats, they only gained 36.9 percent of first preference votes.

"Despite the fact that we are not the largest group on the council, we believe Labour is best placed for a progressive policy for the next five years.

"What we are presenting here is a much improved governance structure which offers member led decision making and leadership.

"We are not able to go into any kind of arrangement with the SNP as we had. We cannot support a party whose government is seeking to destroy local government and want to stand up against that threat.

"We are talking about standing up for local government and the best interest of Fife and for Fife Council."