Alex Salmond: SNP look certain to take control of Aberdeen City Council

Alex Salmond says the SNP look “fairly certain” to take charge of Aberdeen City Council.

The former SNP leader also said he “would not be surprised” if the party remain the largest group in Aberdeenshire Council.

Mr Salmond was speaking at the Aberdeenshire count after the Conservative picked up a number of seats in the authority.

He admitted that there had been a rise in Tory votes and the SNP retaining their position within the council would be seen as a “significant result”.

Mr Salmond added: “It’s not over yet but we’re pretty happy on balance.

“Our activists know we’ve got a challenge in five weeks time – although sometimes that’s no bad thing.

“If you ask SNP activists to work hard for the Scottish cause then they respond in a substantial manner.”