The leader of Moray Council has vowed to do all he can to maintain the status quo amid speculation of an impending power struggle.
The authority was placed on a knife-edge after Heldon and Laich councillor Eric McGillivray stood down last week, leaving the ruling Independent-led administration and the SNP with 11 seats each.
The Nationalists would not comment on the matter, but many believe the group will move to assume control of the council if it secures the vacant seat.
Last night administration leader Stewart Cree said he would “work as hard as he could” to ensure he remained in position to see out the current aims.
Mr Cree said: “I’m not here to hang onto power at any cost, but I want to see projects the administration started brought to fruition
“Over recent months Moray Council has received encouraging reviews from Audit Scotland, and the administration is proud of its record.”
He added: “I can’t speculate on the outcome of any by-election, that would be entirely wrong at this point.
“But, whatever happens, I will work as hard as I can to make sure we can see through our plans – changing horses mid-stream never does anybody much good.”
Following Mr McGillvary’s resignation, Tory councillor Douglas Ross said Moray’s SNP group would appear unambitious if it won the vacated seat and did not attempt to form an administration.
Mr Cree yesterday accused the Fochabers and Lhanbryde member of “ensuring that the SNP made a bid” with his provocative comments.
He said: “Mr Ross has put the SNP group in a position where, if they win the by-election, they can do very little else but mount a challenge for power.”
Mr McGillivray announced his immediate resignation from the council last Friday, citing “personal circumstances”.
Mr Cree revealed he had tried to persuade his administration colleague to remain in position.
He said: “It must have been a very difficult decision for Eric to make, but family is obviously more important in the longer term than his role on the council.
“I had hoped that he would be able to continue, perhaps after a sabbatical, but he felt it would be better to make a clean break of it.
“That was upsetting to me, as he will be a great loss to the council.”