A VETERAN SNP city councillor has left the party after more than 20 years.
Christina Roberts, who represents the East End at Dundee City Council, has resigned the party whip and will sit as an independent councillor, the Courier first reported.
First elected in 2007, Roberts has represented the SNP as a councillor for 18 years and has held a number of positions, including Deputy Lord Provost.
Although Roberts has not made public her reason to leave the party, Dundee City Council leader Mark Flynn thanked the veteran politician for her service.
He said: “On behalf of the SNP group, I want to sincerely thank Christina for her work as an SNP councillor and wish her all the very best for the future.
“Our focus as a group remains on delivering for the people of Dundee, improving opportunities, and supporting people with the cost of living.”
Her resignation does not change the political control of the council, with the SNP having 15 councillors and the opposition having 14 in total.
Roberts held a number of senior administration roles during her time at the council and was the depute convener of the planning committee until her resignation.
According to the Courier, Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in August last year.
Speaking to the paper, she said at the time: “It wasn’t as if I was unwell, generally I’m as fit as a butcher’s dog, but I was on holiday in Turkey and found a lump when I was putting on after-sun cream.
“It totally took me by surprise. The lump was about the size of my thumb, and it was halfway through the holiday, so I had a long wait to come home and get it checked out.”
She added: “Even though that looked like it could just be a cyst I still needed to go for the mammogram, which showed I had breast cancer.
“It wasn’t even the lump I found; the cancer is actually deeper.
“The hospital and staff are great, but it is an emotional journey I didn’t buy a ticket for. I am absolutely petrified.”
