Former SNP politician John Cox has become the latest Aberdeenshire councillor to join Nigel Farage's Reform party.
The Press and Journal reports the Banff councillor intends to continue to represent constituents as an independent councillor, despite having become a member of the Reform party in the last two weeks.
Cllr Cox, who was kicked out of the SNP in 2017, joins ex Conservative councillors Mark Findlater and Laurie Carnie who became the first Reform councillors in Scotland last year.
Once in the running to lead Aberdeenshire Council's SNP group, Mr Cox fell out of the running after clashing with the party policy of a number of issues, not least his support for Brexit.
Speaking to the P&J about his decision to join Reform, Mr Cox made reference to the "economic decline" of his ward, Banff and highlighted the impact of high taxes on local businesses.