Gillian Owen, the outgoing Aberdeenshire Council leader, has formally quit the Conservative party - and hit out at colleagues she says "betrayed" her.
Mrs Owen, who served the Tories for more than four decades since she was a teenager, sensationally resigned during a meeting at Woodhill House on Thursday.
Her resignation followed leaked WhatsApp messages in which she referred to other Conservative councillors as "f***ing b******s" as tensions were high over Reform UK defections.
The Press and Journal reports Mrs Owen told the meeting: “Some may say I deserve the treatment I have received from my party and the press. Others may say I brought it on myself.
“There are others who are truly horrified that the party I represent and have worked for could treat anyone with such impropriety.
“And yes, I do feel betrayed and, what makes matters worse, is by some colleagues I considered friends.
“They have achieved their wish. I have been removed as leader of the Scottish Conservative group and as leader of the council.”
Conservative Tory Stewart Adams and Lib Dem Anne Stirling will now serve the local authority as co-leaders.
Read the full story in today's Press and Journal.