Liberal Democrat deputy leader Councillor David Alston (Black Isle) also said internal dissent and bickering within the Independent-SNP administration, which took over the reins at Highland Council three months ago, was a distraction to the important issues.

His comments came as the repercussions continued in the wake of an embarrassing rift over the escalating cost of the Eden Court theatre project which led to the resignation of Councillor Roddy Balfour as chairman of the education, culture and sport committee.

In the latest twist, it is understood that SNP councillor David Bremner (Landward Caithness) was ordered to attend a disciplinary meeting last Thursday for breaking ranks to openly support Councillor Balfour, an Independent representative for Culloden and Ardersier.

Councillor Alston did not believe the coalition could hold together for the next four years.

"We have already seen the Independents are not able to function as a group," he said. "I think it is more of a surprise at this very early stage that there are divisions within the SNP itself."

He felt all parties needed to have reasonable flexibility to allow members to dissent on matters of conscience. "This just seems like internal bickering and it is a real distraction to the council," commented Councillor Alston who said the administration should have hit the ground running with its policies very early on.

"Now, where we are at the point they should be taking effective control of the budgets, we have internal bickering," he maintained. "All this takes attention away from what are more important issues."

Councillor Bremner yesterday was unavailable for comment. But he was outspoken earlier this month in his defence of Councillor Balfour who unexpectedly quit amid political furore following his criticism of the delays and cost of the £22.7 million theatre redevelopment. "I think what has been done by the leadership of the administration is really a violation of freedom of speech," Councillor Bremner said at the time, maintaining Councillor Balfour's views were representative of a large area of the Highlands.

SNP group leader John Finnie yesterday refused to comment when asked about the disciplinary hearing.

Councillor Balfour knew nothing about the hearing but felt it was "pretty rough" if the matter had been taken to that extreme. "The whole thing has turned pretty nasty," he said.

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