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The Independent councillor for Clackmannanshire North sided with the Nationalists on every vote, beginning with Tina Murphy as Provost.

The Advertiser exclusively revealed last week that the SNP had enough votes to form a minority administration.

Mr Drummond defended his decision by claiming he backed the SNP to reflect public opinion seen in the party's greater share of the votes on polling day.

However the former SNP and Labour party member reiterated that he would not enter into a coalition with the Nationalists.

He said, "When the votes in my ward were added up there were approximately two votes to the SNP for every one vote for Labour. Taking a view of Clackmannanshire as a whole the SNP again out-polled Labour by a considerable margin. On the basis of the promise I made before the election and the clear margin of public support for SNP, I have cast my vote to reflect what the voters have said." He went on, "I have already stated publicly that I have been elected as an Independent councillor, I will not be entering into a coalition with any political party and I will judge any proposal put to me on its merits, regardless of where it comes from.

"However Independence should not be confused with impotence. I campaigned on the platform of an independent voice for change so it would be simply dishonest if I failed to make my voice heard." Just as he stated he would before the meeting, Conservative councillor Alastair Campbell abstained from voting on the key positions - provost, depute provosts, leader and depute leader of the council.

The first full council meeting of the new term began with an explanation of the rules of voting by chief executive Elaine McPherson.

With both the SNP and Labour groups having eight out of 18 councillors each, if the Tory and Independent councillors abstained and a stalemate ensued, the future administration would have been decided by a cutting of a deck of cards.

Quickly it became clear that the deck would not be needed.

SNP leader Gary Womerlsey proposed councillor Tina Murphy as Provost - a role she had held since January after the SNP overturned the then-Labour administration. Labour leader Bobby McGill put forward councillor Derek Stewart, who had previously held the role for almost nine years.

Mrs Murphy was voted in favour by all SNP councillors and Mr Drummond. Labour voted against, but due to Mr Campbell's abstention, Mrs Murphy took the role by a majority.

On being reappointed as provost, she said, "Thank you very much to those who voted for me. I promise to work on behalf of everyone in the council. The door will be open for whomever wants to see me." Welcoming the appointment, Labour leader Mr McGill said, "I'm sure you will do as well as you have done in the past few months. I'm sure members of all sides of this chamber won't make life too hard for you." SNP councillor Irene Hamilton was named depute provost - fending off Labour's Kenny Earle - and the SNP's Donald Balsillie took the second depute provost post to which Mr McGill described the decision to have two depute provosts as a "nonsense".

SNP leader Gary Womersley and councillor Craig Holden were elected as council leader and depute leader, respectively.

Taking the post, Mr Womersley said he was "humbled" to be the first SNP group leader to be re-elected as council leader (Mr Womersley had held the post since January this year after the SNP ousted Labour).

He said, "I would like to thank everyone who has voted for me, the first time that the SNP have ever had a council leader re-elected to the position. As a minority administration we want to work with all people around the table.

"It is a huge endorsement for our administration since taking over in January. We had one more councillor elected than we had before and we can now begin the work of carrying through the promises on our manifesto and to work for the people of Clackmannanshire." He said he plans to make changes to the structure of committees and standing orders (the rules that govern council business).

Mr McGill cautiously replied, "I hope that in changing standing orders you will consult with all members around the table."