The SNP’s control of Aberdeenshire Council is hanging in the balance after a key member of the coalition made a shock exit in the wake of the Legogate scandal.
Martin Kitts-Hayes last night resigned as a councillor with immediate effect, just two days after announcing he would step down as co-leader.
He blamed the “abuse” he and his family had been subjected to as a result of his decision to walk out of the North Sea Commission earlier this year.
A row broke out after he cost the taxpayer £3,000 by flying home early from the conference, as he did not think the accommodation at Legoland was suitable, and tried to cover it up.
Announcing his decision to quit, Mr Kitts-Hayes – who started his career with the local authority as an officer before being elected to represent Inverurie – said: “I wish to announce that I have decided to stand down as a councillor with immediate effect and have informed the provost and chief executive.
“Recent events have placed an intolerable strain on my family with personal abuse continuing unabated even after I resigned as co-leader of the council on Monday. Being a councillor is just not worth the effort.”
The local authority is still scheduled to meet today to discuss the events of Billund.
Last night opposition group leader Jim Gifford admitted he was surprised at his former deputy’s decision to walk away from politics altogether.
Mr Gifford was leader of the council until last year, before Mr Kitts-Hayes quit to form the Progressive Independent Group.
He did so with fellow independent Sheena Lonchay and Labour councillors Alison Evison and Raymond Christie, weakening the ruling Alliance and allowing the SNP to grab power.
Mr Gifford said: “It never crossed my mind that he might (do this). I am quite surprised. It is a bit of weird situation to be in.
“We were well and truly stabbed in the back with the four people leaving our administration.
“We were extremely hurt and upset about how it was done to us. It was a disappointing way to behave and now we see where it got us.
“Part of what the meeting today is about is to have an open discussion of the report and to see if lessons can be learned.”
Mr Kitts-Hayes’ resignation means the ruling SNP-lead council administration now stands at 31 members, whilst the opposition, the Aberdeenshire Alliance, is 32-strong.
There are now 66 councillors on the local authority following the death of Banff and District councillor, Ian Gray.
However Mr Gifford said there were not yet plans by the opposition to launch a bid for power.
Mr Gifford said: “We are many, many steps away from that. On top of everything else we have new leaders to elect. On Monday it should back to business as normal.
“Once the two by-elections have been called we’ll see where we are.”
Council co-leader and SNP group leader, Richard Thomson, said he now planned to continue with the “day to day” business of running the council, but said he was sad to see his colleague go.
“I’m saddened that Martin has chosen to resign from the council and I am sorry to have lost him as a colleague in this way,” he said.
“There was no demand from fellow councillors that he should do this, but his decision is clearly a reflection of the intense pressures of recent weeks.
“As an administration we intend to continue with the day-to day business of running the council and will continue to work closely with other groups within the council in order to do that.”