Councillor McCabe pleaded not guilty and ahead of a trial last month prosecutors announced they were not proceeding with the case.

Councillor Robert Moran was appointed as leader of the council in December 2024 but has stepped down due to health and family reasons.

Cllr Moran, a former Provost of Inverclyde, said: “When I took on the job of council leader I indicated to my colleagues from the outset that it was on an interim basis due to the circumstances at that time.

“However, during that period, I have had some health issues and I also need to put my family first and it is for those reasons that I have decided to step down. 

“While my time as leader has been short-lived, it was a massive honour and privilege and an experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to fellow councillors across the chamber, the chief executive, directors, corporate management team, council officers, and, most importantly, the people of Inverclyde for their support over the last three months.

“I’d like to welcome back Stephen McCabe, who has been a terrific support to me over the years, as leader of the council.”

Cllr McCabe was re-elected as leader at yesterday’s special council meeting.

Cllr McCabe said: “I’d like to firstly thank Robert for his kind words and for the stellar job he has done as leader, albeit for a short time.

“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.

“Secondly, I’d like to thank fellow councillors for once again putting their faith in me to lead the council and electing me as council leader.

“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.

“Inverclyde is a truly unique and wonderful place and, while we have many challenges, there are also many opportunities and I look forward to building on the good work that has been done to date and achieving our shared ambition of making Inverclyde an even better place to live, work, visit, and do business.”

Cllr Moran, who currently represents Inverclyde East Central (Ward 2), was first elected as a councillor in 1996 and served for two years before being re-elected in 2003 and has served continuously since then.

He has held a variety of positions within the council and most notably served as Provost of Inverclyde from 2012 until 2017.

Cllr McCabe, who currently represents Inverclyde East (Ward 1), was first elected as a district councillor to the then Inverclyde District Council in 1992 and served for four years before being elected to Inverclyde Council in 1999 and has served continuously since then.