Helensburgh's MP has called for council leaders to "stand down" over their council tax "fiasco".

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O'Hara said the Tory and LibDem administration should resign over the "deeply embarrassing council tax fiasco".

The SNP member's statement was made just after 12 SNP councillors, joined by two independents and one Labour, called for a special meeting to try to take over the local authority.

Argyll and Bute was set for a record 10% council tax hike by the ruling administration group until a U-turn.

READ MORE: Argyll and Bute Council opposition councillors bid for power

Mr O’Hara said: “The Tories and the LibDems allowed narrow, political self-interest to blind them to such an extent that they were prepared to dump a massive tax rise on people in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

"Such was the backlash from the people of Argyll and Bute however, that they were forced to go cap-in-hand to the Scottish government, where they accepted exactly the deal they were offered originally.

"Thankfully the Scottish government were on hand to protect people of Argyll & Bute from their total incompetence.”

He added: “No matter how they try to spin this change of heart, this is a humiliating U-turn, and it shows how far removed this administration has become from the communities they are supposed to represent.

"The fact that the Tories and the LibDems were prepared to put the people of Argyll and Bute through this worry, at a time of real financial hardship shows that they are unfit to lead this council, and their position is now untenable.”

Council leader Robin Currie said in response to the opposition move: "Our ability to consider a council tax freeze has depended on the very welcome £2.3m severe weather support that the Scottish Government has now confirmed for Argyll and Bute. 

"We secured this funding for Argyll and Bute after months of positive engagement between the council leadership and the Scottish Government. This positive engagement started immediately after the severe weather in October last year and has continued over the course of this year.

"The facts are clear. Without the overall improvement in our circumstances that the severe weather funding brings, the funding offered solely in relation to the freeze was not enough on its own to avoid serious threats to vital services and jobs both now and in future years, where we are facing very significant challenges indeed. 

"Tackling those challenges is always my priority and focus. It is a fact that Council Leaders must always bear that longer-term picture in mind and face up to difficult decisions, no matter how tempting it may be to make an easier or less effective/responsible choice for short-term gain and popularity."