22 April 2005
The leader of Glasgow City Council, Scotland's biggest local authority, is to resign amid rumours of a coup by younger rivals.
Labour leader Charlie Gordon agreed to step down after colleagues told him he would be defeated if he stood for re-election as group leader. He is expected to seek a seat in the Scottish Parliament in 2007.
Gordon, 54, Glasgow's civic leader for six years, is expected to be replaced by the city's education convener, Steven Purcell, 32, at the council's annual meeting in May.
He said the decision to retire left the leader's post free for all to contest without the need for 'negative terms such as "challenge" and "faction" '.
PFapr2005
