AFTER the flag debate, Labour and the SNP blamed each other - and the Tories - for wasting time and money.

For Labour, Irvine South councillor Robert Foster said: “The Tories and SNP, who first debated and introduced a flag policy two years ago when they were in power, spent the best part of 45 minutes debating between the union flag and the saltire. It was not only disappointing but embarrassing that this time was wasted whilst we have real issues to deal with locally.

“That’s why I moved that we stop talking about flags and only fly them on special occasions. Labour will get on with the day job whilst the SNP and Tories behave like children and argue over flags.”

SNP depute group leader Alan Hill said: “We had a four hour meeting that achieved absolutely nothing for the people of North Ayrshire.Back in the real world, Conservative members who proposed the motion on flags have wards with some of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK.

“This shambolic meeting was presided over by Provost Ian Clarkson who behaved in a frankly partisan way, constantly interrupting SNP councillors.”