The former leader of Aberdeenshire Council - who the Tories earlier this month - has joined Nigel Farage's Reform party, prompting calls for a by-election.
Mark Findlater, along with his former Tory colleague Laurie Carnie, who represents Mearns, have become the first Reform councillors in Scotland, The Press and Journal reports.
Mr Findlater, councillor for the Troup area, spectacularly quit the Tories a fortnight ago with a bizarre quote from author CS Lewis, best known for the Chronicals of Narnia tales.
IN a statement, he said: “CS Lewis said one of the most cowardly things people do is shut their eyes to facts.
“Knowing what I know, and what is going to be expected of me, I have resigned as vice-chair of the Banff and Buchan Conservatives, and indeed as a Conservative.
“I am no coward. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. This is mine.”
Conservative MSP and former co-leader of Aberdeen City Council Douglas Lumsden took to X, formerly Twitter, to react to the news.
He posted: "Hopefully the two councillors who were elected as Conservatives do the decent thing and resign so we can have two by-elections."