Moray councillor Paula Coy resigns citing "personal reasons"
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A MORAY councillor has today resigned citing "personal reasons".
Paula Coy, who was an SNP councillor in the Elgin City North ward, has resigned with immediate effect.
Cllr Coy – who also chaired the police and fire committee – apologised for not fulfilling her term but hopes constituents will be understanding.
She said: "I have had to take the very difficult decision to step down as a councillor.
"This is for personal reasons and I hope that people will be understanding of that.
"I am sorry to my constituents and colleagues that I am unable to see out the term but I believe that stepping down is the right thing to do when I know that I will not be able to fulfil the role in the way that constituents would expect.
"It would be wrong to continue taking a salary from public funds in those circumstances and not something I could, in all conscience, do.”
There will be no by-election to replace Cllr Coy as it's fewer than six months until the Scottish council elections – which are due to take place on May 5, 2022.
SNP Council Leader Graham Leadbitter said: “Paula has been a diligent chair of our police and fire committee and brought an enormous amount of passion and compassion to her councillor role.
"She will be very much missed by her SNP colleagues and, I am sure, many others.
"We fully respect and support her decision and wish her well.”
