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A Scottish Conservative councillor in Aberdeenshire has claimed her local group is "racked with bullying and infighting" after resigning from her party during the local authority's budget meeting.

Ann Ross, of Banchory and Mid Deeside, abstained from the vote and later published a statement criticising the local Conservative group.

The council were forced to close a blackhole worth more than £17million, with the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and independents administration passing its plans, which included cuts in education.

The authority backed the funded council tax freeze equivalent to a 5% rise.

But the newly-resigned Ross said she could not back the budget which would be "detrimental" to her constituents.

And she was hugely critical of her local group, which she says has "lost focus".

"I have witnessed bullying and undermining of decent hard-working colleagues within the Group & Administration. This does not sit well with me."

She added: The SCU Party in Aberdeenshire is racked with bullying and infighting and some have lost focus of the people that they are elected to represent and serve.

"This is particularly true in the West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine branch, of the Aberdeenshire Association, where a particular UK elected member's associates dominate, and this has spilled over into the Aberdeenshire SCU Council Group & the wider Aberdeenshire Association which is toxic".

The Scottish Conservative Party said the councillor had not submitted any complaints of bullying, while a spokesman told BBC Scotland News that the party was investigating complaints made against Ms Ross at recent meetings.

Scottish Parliament:

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UK Parliament:

Today’s business includes:

Private Members’ Bills: Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Highways Act 1980 (Amendment) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Exemption from Value Added Tax (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Domestic Energy (Value Added Tax) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: British Broadcasting Corporation (Privatisation) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Children’s Clothing (Value Added Tax) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Barnett Formula (Replacement) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Illegal Immigration (Offences) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Multi-Storey Car Parks (Safety) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Military Actions (Parliamentary Approval) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Devolution (Employment) (Scotland) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Universal Credit Sanctions (Zero Hours Contracts) Bill: Second Reading

Private Members’ Bills: Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill: Remaining Stages

Aberdeenshire Council:

Today’s business includes:

Local Review Body

Aberdeen City Council:

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News/Funding/Consultations:

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