Lib Dems to leave council group

The three councillors will form a separate group

Three Lib Dem councillors are leaving Aberdeenshire Council's administration group, BBC Scotland has learned.

Paul Johnston, Martin Ford and Sam Coull will form a separate group with Debra Storr, who resigned from the party group last November.

They resigned in the wake of a wrangle over remarks made by Mr Johnston over Donald Trump's golf resort plans.

He was condemned by Aberdeenshire Council, but then cleared by the Standards Commission.

On Thursday, Aberdeenshire Council officially drew a line under the remarks.

Remain committed

Mr Johnston had claimed the council offered sweeteners to the Trump organisation over its bid to build a golf resort near Balmedie.

He said: "I am very disappointed that most of my colleagues did not wish to record the fact that I had been cleared by adding a note to the minutes of the October council meeting where the matter was discussed.

Debra Storr resigned from the party group last November

"I was even more disappointed that I received no apology from those who had condemned me before the Standards Commission had even investigated. There was no fair process or natural justice."

The councillors said they were committed to their roles on the authority.

After the May 2007 elections there were 24 Lib Dems but this has now been reduced to 20.

The Lib Dem/Conservative ruling administration group now has 34 councillors, the same number as members in other groups.

Mr Trump's controversial £1bn golf and housing development at Menie was approved in November following a public inquiry.