SNP Westminster leader's dad is new leader of Dundee council

Mark Flynn has been announced as the new leader of Dundee City Council, following the resignation of current leader John Alexander.

Mr Flynn, an SNP councillor for Coldside, is the father of the party's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn MP.

Stephen Flynn posted on X following the announcement, saying: "The old boy is doing no too bad" with a clapping emoji.

John Alexander, who has led the council since 2017, announced his resignation on Friday to spend more time with his family and take up a new job.

Mr Flynn will take up the new role after a vote by councillors on 2 September.

He said he was "absolutely delighted" at the opportunity.

Mr Flynn said: "If you look back to when I was brought up in the city, it was a dreich and dour place.

"Now it's totally changed, and I think it's credit to John and ourselves at what we've done here, and previous administrations of the SNP, to see Dundee's transformation."

Mr Flynn said that he spoke to his son "all the time" and was happy to receive any advice he might offer.

He said: "Stephen's got a lot of experience down in Westminster, more than I have in politics.

"He was a councillor before I was, and I think that's important to note as well, because I think I'm getting classed as the veteran, and he's the one that's technically the veteran.

"But I think it's important that I listen to everybody, including my son."