An SNP council leader in First Minister John Swinney’s “backyard” has stepped down after being charged with embezzlement.
Grant Laing, who has led Perth & Kinross council since 2022, has also resigned from the SNP and will sit as an independent.
A statement from the council earlier said Mr Laing had stepped down for “personal reasons” but it later emerged he had been charged with an offences over eight years.
Eric Drysdale, previously Mr Laing’s deputy, has taken over the minority-run council as interim leader until a meeting of the full council next month.
Murdo Fraser, a Tory MSP for Mid-Scotland & Fife, said: “This latest development illustrates once more the chaos at the heart of this failing SNP administration in Perth, in John Swinney’s backyard.”
Mr Laing, 63, has been a councillor since 2012 and was highly regarded for his dedication to the job and his support for Mr Swinney.
Mr 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 & 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 & Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality.”
Police Scotland said: “A 63-year-old man has been charged with embezzlement which occurred over a period of years between 2017 and 2025 in the Perth area. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”
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