Plans to scrap HIE board dead in the water after vote to overturn decision succeeds

The Scottish Government has suffered a bruising defeat in its plans to scrap the Highlands and Islands Enterprise board.

The controversial proposals are all but dead in the water after opposition MSPs united against the SNP.

It had been thought that Highland Nationalists might break ranks and vote against the changes, which would see the HIE board subsumed into a national body.

But even though they sided with the government it was not enough to prevent the plans being defeated by just one vote.

Opposition politicians celebrated knocking-back the “wrong-headed” plan, but the government argue their changes will help support HIE’s work.