THE leader of North Ayrshire Council (NAC) has confirmed the local authority has no current links to Russia - as councillors pledged their solidarity with the people of Ukraine during the ongoing invasion.

NAC members met virtually earlier this month with the war in Eastern Europe on the agenda.

Ardrossan and Arran SNP councillor Tony Gurney submitted a motion “conveying the council’s condemnation of the actions of the Russian Government”, and stating that NAC is “appalled at the ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine”.

Earlier in the meeting, a question from independent councillor for Stevenston, Jimmy Miller, asked council leader, Joe Cullinane, whether NAC had any contractual or other dealings with Russia.

READ MORE: Only nine per cent of North Ayrshire pupils received free Scot Gov laptops

Cllr Cullinane said: “From an analysis of council contracts and spend I can confirm that there are no current contractual arrangements in place with Russia.

“I can also confirm that following a recent update from the council’s treasury management advisors all funds held by the council have no direct or indirect financial exposure to Russian entities.”

Councillor Gurney said: “This isn’t about us, this is about us coming together to condemn Russia, to support Ukraine, not in any expectation that Putin will see our motion as a springboard for change but certainly to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”

The motion included: “North Ayrshire Council stands with Ukraine and its people in these terrible times. And, with those Russians who are not responsible for this war, many of whom bravely speak out against it - thousands of whom have been arrested by the Russian State for taking part in peaceful protests.”