THE Tories slipped from second to fifth place in Edinburgh with the SNP remaining the largest group on the council.

A total of just nine seats were secured by the Tories in the capital, down from 18 in 2017.

Meanwhile, the SNP won 19 councillors, Labour secured 13 seats, and the LibDems increased their tally to 12.

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It was also a successful day for the Greens in Auld Reekie as they hit double figures with 10 candidates celebrating victory.

The Tories came close to catching up with the SNP in 2017 so the result represents a major blow for the party.

Their nine councillors is the lowest representation they have had in Scotland's capital in half a century. Not since 1972 have they won so few seats. 

Edinburgh Central MSP Angus Robertson had a smile on his face as the SNP held onto their title of being the largest party in the city.

Adam McVey, SNP party leader in Edinburgh, was re-elected in the Leith ward.

He said: “This is a fantastic result for the SNP. I’m obviously really delighted and grateful to every single person who has put trust in me.

“We’re seeing the SNP emerge as very clearly the largest party (in Edinburgh) in a very pluralistic council chamber and we’re going to have to work together just as we have in the last five years with other parties to make sure we can deliver on that positive progressive vision we have for Edinburgh and our communities.”

Marco Biagi, a former Scottish Government minister, was elected as an SNP councillor in the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward.

Miles Briggs, a Lothian Conservative MSP, attended the count to support local Tory candidates.

He said the results were “hugely disappointing” and said protest votes and tactical voting had ultimately hurt the local Tories.

It is a vision reflected across Scotland as the Tories witness significant losses.

He said: “The positive campaign we’ve tried to run has been eclipsed, sadly, by the partygate situation.”

However, while voters were punishing local Tory candidates for Downing Street parties, he said it does not reflect badly on Scottish leader Douglas Ross.

He said: “This election isn’t about Douglas Ross. People have used this election to bring out their anger against the Prime Minister and partygate.”

The 63-seat council is currently run by a shared SNP-Labour administration but Labour leader Anas Sarwar's stance on having no coalitions means that could be in jeopardy, with discussions on who will take power set to be held over the next week.