Former council leader says she felt 'betrayed'

The Scottish Conservatives have said they had been planning to investigate the conduct of a council leader who has stood down claiming she felt "betrayed" by colleagues.

In her resignation speech at Aberdeenshire Council, Gillian Owen also announced her decision to leave the Conservatives and stand as an independent.

Conservative Stewart Adams and Lib Dem Anne Stirling will now take up the joint leadership role.

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: "The party had received complaints about Gillian Owen's conduct and was about to launch an investigation, so we are not surprised she has decided to avoid responsibility and quit."

Last month Ms Owen announced her intention to stand down from her role at the helm of the council which is run as a Conservative, Lib Dem and independent coalition.

That prompted the selection of the new joint leaders.

The SNP had nominated Gwyneth Petrie for leader, but she was defeated by 36 votes to 28.

In her resignation speech, Ms Owen said that - having worked for the Conservatives for years - she felt "betrayed" by some colleagues she had "considered friends".

"I have been removed as leader of the Scottish Conservative Group and now leader of the council – all with the backdrop of the Scottish Conservative group losing members hand over fist to Reform. I wonder why that is?" she added.

She said the Conservative party had "lost its way" and she had decided to become an independent.

"I will no longer have a master to serve, nor will I have instructions from other elected representatives," she said.