Aberdeenshire Council Tory leader stands down

The leader of Aberdeenshire Council has announced that she is standing down.

Gillian Owen said she would not seek re-election as leader of the council's Conservative group, which runs the coalition administration.

It follows recent unrest within the party in Aberdeenshire - with one Conservative councillor resigning over nursery closures while another defected to Reform.

Owen will remain as leader of the local authority until next full council meeting on 26 June.

The council is run as a Conservative, Lib Dem and independent coalition.

Owen has been leader of the Tory group since 2023 after Mark Findlater was ousted.

She confirmed to the group ahead of its annual general meeting that she would not seek another term as leader. Stewart Adams will take over in the role.

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: "We thank Gillian for her dedication and hard work during her time as Aberdeenshire Conservative group leader.

"Under Stewart's leadership, we will continue to focus on the priorities that matter to the people of Aberdeenshire."