THE new leader of the Glasgow Labour group missed attending the first full meeting of the council – and is thought to have dialled in from a Spanish airport.

Sources have claimed newly elected Glasgow Labour chief George Redmond remained in Spain after travelling to watch Rangers in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.

Redmond, who previously held senior roles when Labour last ran Scotland’s largest local authority, was said to have voted remotely in Thursday’s proceedings and two sources told The National they believed he was calling in from an airport.

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Redmond beat Malcolm Cunning, who had held the post since 2020 and saw Glasgow Labour gain five seats in the local elections earlier this month, in shock victory critics have called a return to the “dark days” of the party.

Scottish Labour did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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An source told our sister newspaper The National: “George Redmond didn’t make it back from Seville for his first full council as Labour leader.

“There had been lots of rumour since Tuesday that Cllr Redmond wouldn’t be at the meeting today.

"He’s a huge Rangers fan and no one was surprised to hear him dialling into the meeting from what sounded to everyone like an airport.

"I found funny was he put himself forward to lead the city from a departure lounge.

"There were unmistakable tannoy announcements in the background. You’d think two days after he utterly ruptures his group and the day he makes his bid to become council leader he’d prioritise showing up.

"Clearly George has other priorities. Which won’t surprise anyone.”

An SNP spokesperson said: "George Redmond today publicly announced his intention to be leader of this great city yet can’t even be bothered to turn up to the actual meeting where the voting takes place.

"Just three days after he split Glasgow Labour in two in his quest to become its leader, he’s clearly already got other priorities.

"Redmond's decision to be somewhere rather than this crucial meeting shows his responsibilities to his constituents, to his group and to the city of Glasgow are ditched the instant he has a better offer."

Rangers were defeated on penalties in the Europa League final last night against Eintracht Frankfurt following a one-all draw after extra time.