The leader of Perth and Kinross Council has resigned after being charged with embezzlement.
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.
The 63-year-old was first elected to represent the Strathtay ward in 2012 and became council leader after the 2022 Scottish council elections.
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.
Deputy leader Eric Drysdale will step in as acting leader until the next full council meeting on 29 October.
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.
“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 SNP has confirmed to the that Laing is no longer a member.
