Ex-SNP member begins journey as independent

Resignation: Councillor leaves opposition group

An Aberdeenshire councillor has left the SNP and will sit as an independent instead.

Mearns councillor Leigh Wilson, who was elected aged just 22 in 2017, has decided to leave the opposition group and act as an “unaligned independent”.

Mr Wilson, who lives in Inverbervie, said it had been a “privilege” to work with the SNP, but for personal reasons had decided to break away.

He said: “It has been a privilege to serve the SNP for the past three years. Professional circumstances mean that I will sit as an independent for the next two years, but I have nothing but good words for my colleagues and I am sure I will continue to work with the group in the future.”

Before he was elected, Mr Wilson was a school support officer and had been active in SNP politics since the age of 16.

It is the second recent shake-up of the group, who work with Labour in opposition, following the resignation of former group leader Richard Thomson after he was elected to be MP for Gordon.

New group leader Gwyneth Petrie said: “We are truly sorry to lose Leigh from the group, however we understand the reasons behind his decision.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Leigh over the next two years, and wish him all the best for the future.”

The SNP now has 19 members, one less than the Conservatives.

Leigh Wilson will act as an ‘unaligned independent’