SCOTLAND is to have its first by-election since the local elections in May after a LibDem councillor resigned.
Christopher Price stepped down from the Tory-controlled Moray Council on Wednesday. In May, Price voted with the 11 Conservatives on the council to hand the party power.
Price was one of three representatives from the uncontested Buckie ward, meaning he was made a councillor before a single vote had been cast. The SNP and the Tories also each picked up a free seat in the ward.
READ MORE: Moray Council's Conservative deputy leader panned for 'offensive' Twitter posts
The chief executive of Moray Council, Roddy Burns, confirmed the LibDem’s resignation.
He said: “Councillor Price was elected as a Scottish Liberal Democrat councillor in the uncontested Buckie ward at this year’s local government election.
“I thank him for his service to his constituents since May, and wish him well for the future.”
Moray Council said that more information on the by-election would be published “once details are confirmed”.
SNP MSP Karen Adam commented on Twitter: "Looking forward to campaigning in Buckie and getting another SNP councillor in!"
Other than the Tories' 11 seats, the SNP have eight councillors in Moray, Labour have three, there is one Green, and there are two independents.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here