Former Aberdeenshire Council leader quits Tories after 45 years
Gillian Owen said she felt betrayed
Last updated 26th Jun 2025
Aberdeenshire Council's outgoing leader has quit the Conservative party after 45 years, during her resignation speech.
In May, Gillian Owen apologised to Tory colleagues after swearing at them in their WhatsApp group and said they'd "thrown her under a bus".
As Mrs Owen stepped down, she said she felt 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.”
“This is all with the backdrop of the Conservative group losing members hand over fist to Reform. “I wonder why that is?”
Tory Stewart Adams and Lib Dem Anne Stirling are now council co-leaders.