CHAOS has engulfed North Ayrshire Council after the SNP resigned the administration.

Labour are now just days away from taking over at Cunninghame House following their shock win at the Irvine West by-election.

Louise McPhater’s narrow victory over SNP stalwart Robin Sturgeon a fortnight ago meant Labour became the majority party on the council.

And that caused a staggering series of events which saw the administration stand down, two resignations and a new leader elected.

Last week, the SNP Group announced they would be handing over the administration at a special meeting of the council on Tuesday, August 30 - a decision made without the presence of Council Leader Willie Gibson who was on holiday in Italy.

It was initially anticipated that the SNP would continue as a minority administration until the local authority elections in May.

Joan Sturgeon also announced she would be standing down as Provost of North Ayrshire.

Mr Gibson said he was “hugely disappointed” about the change which the Times understand was not met with the support of every SNP councillor.

In a statement, Mr Gibson said: “I am personally hugely disappointed in this change. Since the SNP took control of a failing council in 2012 we have taken huge strides in creating better services for North Ayrshire.

“Our recent APSE nomination for UK Council of the Year is based not on some random nomination but purely on measurable performance and shows the massive change in our fortunes.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our staff who have contributed so much in these changing times and have ensured that our vision for a better North Ayrshire has come to fruition.

“In the end, however, the democratic will of the people must be paramount. You can rest assured that I will be working twice as hard to convince those people to elect us as a majority again next May.”

Mrs Sturgeon added: “With the change in representation on the council it is clear to me that I should allow a complete reset of the council administration, including resigning my own position. “While the post of Provost is non-political it is elected at the start of every council term and it seems clear to me that I should allow that election to take place in tandem with the democratic election of the new administration.

“It has been one of the greatest honours of my life to serve the people of North Ayrshire and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to do so.”

The Labour Group initially responded to the SNP’s decision with fierce criticism, describing their rivals as “irresponsible” for resigning the administration.

Group leader, Councillor Peter McNamara, then suddenly quit his position and was replaced by Kilwinning Councillor Joe Cullinane on a 6-4 vote at the party’s AGM.

Councillor McNamara said his decision was brought forward as a result of the ongoing political crisis.

The Labour Group claim they are in ongoing discussions with the six independent councillors who hold the balance of power within Cunninghame House.