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Perth and Kinross council leader resigns and leaves SNP over 'personal reasons' Perth and Kinross council leader quits after embezzlement charge
(about 2 hours later)
Councillor Grant Laing has resigned as council leaderCouncillor Grant Laing has resigned as council leader
The leader of Perth and Kinross Council has stepped down from the role due to "personal reasons" in a shock resignation. The leader of Perth and Kinross Council has resigned after being charged with embezzlement.
Councillor Grant Laing, who has also left the SNP, was named council leader after the 2022 Scottish council elections. Grant Laing, who has also left the SNP, is accused of the crime over a period of years between 2017 and 2025 in the Perth area.
He was first elected to represent the Strathtay ward in 2012. He will now sit as an independent. The 63-year-old was first elected to represent the Strathtay ward in 2012 and became council leader after the 2022 Scottish council elections.
Deputy leader Eric Drysdale will step in as acting leader until the next full council meeting on 29 October. The BBC has approached him for comment. The council said Mr Laing had stepped down due to "personal reasons" and he will now sit as an independent councillor. Police Scotland said a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
Councillor Eric Drysdale said: "Grant's decision has come as a shock to all of his councillor colleagues, but we shall all step up our efforts to fill the gap his departure will leave. Deputy leader Eric Drysdale will step in as acting leader until the next full council meeting on 29 October.
"Grant has given his all in the role of Leader of Perth and Kinross Council for the last three-and-a-half years, driven by his wholehearted commitment to our group's core principles underpinned by a vision of a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality." Councillor Drysdale said: "Grant's decision has come as a shock to all of his councillor colleagues, but we shall all step up our efforts to fill the gap his departure will leave.
Laing's resignation was announced in a brief update on the council's website. "Grant has given his all in the role of leader of Perth and Kinross Council for the last three-and-a-half years, driven by his wholehearted commitment to our group's core principles underpinned by a vision of a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality."
Laing's resignation was announced earlier in a brief update on the council's website.
The council declined to comment further.The council declined to comment further.
The SNP has confirmed to the BBC that Laing is no longer a member.The SNP has confirmed to the BBC that Laing is no longer a member.