Aberdeenshire councillor quits politics following Legoland row
Martin Kitts-Hayes is leaving the council
The Aberdeenshire councillor at the centre of the legogate row has quit politics.
Martin Kitts-Hayes stood down from his role as co-leader yesterday but he has now gone one further.
He's giving up his seat representing Inverurie and district which he's held since 2003.
He's been under pressure since returning home early from a conference in Denmark - because he was unhappy with his accomodation at legoland.
It's a decision that is believed to have cost the taxpayer £3,500.
Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire Council Jim Savege, said: "I can confirm that this afternoon I have received the resignation from Martin Kitts-Hayes as an Aberdeenshire councillor.
"His resignation is with immediate effect."
Councillors are due to discuss the contents of a report on the controversy at a full meeting on Thursday morning.
After stepping down as co-leader, Mr Kitts Hayes released this statement.
He said: "Following discussions this morning it has become clear that I no longer enjoy the full support of the Partnership Administration and therefore tender my resignation as Chair of Policy and Resources and Co-Leader of the Council. In order to ensure a smooth transition and with the agreement of the Provost, my resignation will take effect from Full Council on 29 September 2016. "In terms of the Billund Report I would like to make the following comments: - little or no evidence has been found that any reputational damage has been caused to Aberdeenshire Council - comments about damaging our relationship with the North Sea Commission (NSC) are unfounded with the President of the NSC stating that my decision to return home "has not caused her or the NSC any difficulties". I was also not making any speech at the Conference. - I immediately informed the Director of Business Services and through him the Chief Executive on my return from Billund and asked the former to look into the accommodation issue before meeting the Chief Executive and making the issue public. - when I met the Chief Executive I took full responsibility for the decision to return home - the reporter who "broke" the story informed me that he had been contacted by a "disgruntled employee" hence the use of this expression "However, I recognise that my decision has been an unnecessary distraction and has disrupted the smooth running of the Council. I have already stated that on reflection it was a poor decision and of course I regret any upset that I have caused. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Provost Vernal and Cllrs Thomson and Evison over the past 15 months and will continue to support them."