A row over whether the council leader tried to secure more cash for the area is rumbling on – with government officials now confirming he DID.

The Lennox Herald reported last week how furious Labour politicians rounded on Jonathan McColl, saying he “didn’t bother” arranging meetings with finance minister Derek Mackay.

The SNP leader had been sent cap in hand by his own colleagues to plead to the Scottish Government for more money – following fears that services would be cut to fill a huge £4.2million gap.

He claimed he had spoken to Mr Mackay on four separate occasions but the government incredibly poured cold water on his claims in a response to Jackie Baillie MSP last week.

But in another twist of the tale, Mr Mackay has now confirmed the leader did indeed meet him.

He said: “I meet with all SNP council leaders, including Jonathan McColl, on a regular basis to discuss how we can work together to secure the best possible outcomes for the communities we represent.

"During the budget process in December, I met with Councillor McColl in Glasgow where we discussed a range of options to support the local government settlement.

“Unlike the Labour party, my SNP colleagues like Jonathan engaged constructively in the process to ensure that the final budget passed by parliament delivered for all of Scotland, including West Dunbartonshire.”

In a response to MSP Jackie Baillie’s parliamentary question seen by the Lennox Herald, officials originally said the Scottish Government “has not had any discussions or correspondence” with the leader or any other members of the ruling SNP group.

Jackie Baillie and Labour councillor David McBride hit out at the council leader last week over the response.

However, the SNP party say they arranged two meetings with ministers and council group leaders in December and January.

In addition to this, they say there were two conference calls between Derek Mackay and SNP group leaders.

They say they were not officially recorded by the Scottish Government because they were arranged by the party.

The leader said this week: “As I said in council back in February and again last week, of course I met with Derek and others.

“That Labour chose to suggest otherwise was desperate and foolish. I must be doing okay if the opposition are having to make things up to complain about.

“It’s frustrating though for the public that politics today has descended into mud throwing, and it’s incredibly sad that Jackie Baillie continues her personal vendetta against me.

“Instead of telling fibs and twisting facts, it would be more productive if Ms Baillie worked with others for the benefit of the communities she represents.

“The fact that Cllr Dickson will be able to present a West Dunbartonshire Council budget without having to cut any local services is driving the Labour Party in West Dunbartonshire absolutely crazy.

“It’s clear that they would have preferred if we’d had to make severe cuts to services, harming local people just so they could have a pop at the SNP.”

But Ms Baillie swiped back calling the discussions a “brief chat at the back of a tearoom”.

She said: “While one Scottish Minister says one thing, another one contradicts them by saying another.

“I asked the Scottish Government twice whether it had met the leader of West Dunbartonshire Council to discuss the 2019-20 budget and twice the minister for public finance and the digital economy said that they hadn’t.

“Clearly there is confusion at the heart of the Scottish Government. A brief chat at the back of a tearoom or a conference call with all council leaders is not a negotiation about West Dunbartonshire nor is it a substitute for a formal ministerial meeting.

“Jonathan McColl seems to have a habit of over-claiming and then under- delivering. Clearly Derek McKay was not holding meetings in his official capacity as cabinet secretary for finance.”

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