The former leader of Inverclyde Council, Stephen McCabe, has been re-elected after an assault charge against him was dropped.
Labour’s Robert Moran took over the role in December, but resigned at a council meeting on Thursday for health and family reasons.
Prosecutors dropped assault and threatening behaviour charges against Mr McCabe earlier this month after “careful consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances”.
After councillors re-appointed him, McCabe thanked them for “once again putting their faith in me”.
He said: “It speaks volumes of Robert as a person that he stepped up when called upon and put the best interests of the council and the people of Inverclyde before himself and his family, however, health and family comes first and his decision to step down as leader is completely understandable.
“As I have always done, I will give my all to serve the council and the people of Inverclyde and make the case for Inverclyde at local and national levels.”
McCabe denied shouting and acting in an aggressive manner towards a woman and a second charge of assaulting her at a home in Kilmacolm on 27 October last year.
Labour also suspended him pending the outcome of an investigation. The party has been contacted for comment.
He resigned in November following an appearance at Greenock Sheriff Court.
After dropping charges against him, prosecutors said the Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future.
Moran said he had taken on the job as council leader on an interim basis, but that it had been “a massive honour and privilege”.
Inverclyde Council set its 2025/26 budget at the meeting earlier, agreeing a council tax rise of 8.5%.
