A SCOTTISH LibDem councillor has stepped down eight days after her by-election win.
Louise Spence of the Scottish Liberal Democrats had been elected to serve as councillor for the city's Colinton and Fairmilehead ward with a comfortable winning total of 2683 votes.
The turnout was 37.4% and was considered a shock win for the party on November 14.
However, her house was put on the market on November 15 – a day after her win.
This came after Spence had campaigned as a "real local champion", with one leaflet showing an arrow next to the Colinton area where she lived.
According to a report by the Daily Record, the party said Spence would now be spending time outside of Edinburgh and therefore was standing down.
Spence said: “I have had a sudden change in personal circumstances which meant I couldn't in all conscience fulfil my role as a councillor. At this time, my focus must be with my family. I have informed my Liberal Democrat colleagues of my changed circumstances and offered my resignation.
“The Liberal Democrats rightly set high standards in terms of the service their local councillors provide. I myself argued that Colinton and Fairmilehead needed a local champion. While it would have been legally possible for me to continue as a councillor, I don’t believe it would be right to do so with my focus elsewhere.
“This is why I have made the difficult decision to resign my council seat."
The news comes after Marco Biagi, who also served the Colinton and Fairmilehead ward, announced he was standing down to take a position as a Scottish Government adviser.
Spence added: "With another by-election already due in the ward in February because of the SNP councillor’s resignation, my decision means this new vacancy can be filled at the same time; at no extra cost to the taxpayer. This is clearly the right thing to do for Colinton and Fairmilehead.
“However, I know my decision will be deeply disappointing and frustrating for those who voted for me, for my council group colleagues and for all the Liberal Democrats who fought so hard to win the by-election. I am truly sorry at what has happened.”
The by-election came after former councillor Scott Arthur resigned due to being elected as a Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh South West.
