SNP Win Buckie By-Election

The SNP's won the Buckie by-election.

Mother-of-three and local businesswoman Sonya Warren secured victory in the first round of counting with 1,485 votes.

Independent candidate Norman Calder was second with 696 votes, Conservative Tim Eagle received 315 votes. The turn-out was 32.3 per cent.

The by election was caused by the sudden death of Independent Cllr Joe Mackay two months ago.

The 26-member Moray Council is led by an Independent/Conservative coalition. Today's result means that the number of SNP councillors is now 11, equal to the number in the administration group which comprises 10 Independents and one non-aligned Conservative.

There are two Labour councillors and two Conservative.