Glasgow City council was plunged into chaos yesterday by a Labour crackdown on sleaze designed to underline a pledge by the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to get tough with those who tarnish the party's reputation.
In a move aimed at ending Labour's problems in the west of Scotland, nine Glasgow councillors at the centre of an alleged "trips for votes" scandal were suspended by the ruling National Executive Committee.
But last night it appeared that the suspensions may cause further embarrassment for the party as the leading figures involved remained defiant, vowing to fight moves that one said had put the "verdict before the trial".
One of the nine, Glasgow's deputy Lord Provost, Mr Alex Mosson, has already served a writ at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, and intends to call the Defence Secretary, Mr George Robertson, and the secretary of the Labour Party in Scotland, Mr Jack McConnell, to give evidence.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Mr Pat Lally, who as Lord Lieutenant of Glasgow is also Queen Elizabeth's representative in the city, said he would remain as the council's figurehead.
The remaining seven are: the Labour group leader, Mr Bob Gould; his deputy, Mr Gordon Macdiarmid; the parks and recreation convener, Mr Jim Mutter; Ms Deirdre Gaughan, Ms Heather Ritchie, Mr Jim Sharkey and Ms Elaine Smith.
Labour sources said Ms Gaughan, Ms Ritchie, Mr Sharkey and Ms Smith have been suspended from representing the party at any level while the others have been suspended only from the Glasgow Labour Group.
Three other councillors, Mr Steven Purcell, Mr George Ryan and Mr David Stevenson, face further questioning on the allegations.
Ms Jean McFadden has been appointed by the NEC as the interim leader of Glasgow city council but other interim officials will not be appointed for a further three weeks.