South Ayrshire Council is now 'broken and in need of repair'

Crisis-hit South Ayrshire Council is "broken and in need of repair"according to the latest member to quit the Conservatives at County Buildings.

- STUART WILSON

Mary Kilpatricka Tory of more than 60 yearshas walked away from the party she joined as a teenager. She becomes the fourth Conservative to ditch the party after the most explosive week in the local authority's history, which has seen the council leader and Provost both quit.

Mrs Kilpatrick, who has served as a councillor for 25 years, said the "humiliation and disgrace" heaped on the council at the infamous public meeting had left her with no choice but to stand down.

Her colleague in the Civic office, Provost Iain Campbell, resigned on the spot after one of his Tory colleagues was heard to call someone a "wee c**t" over a live microphone.

That's sparked a constitutional crisis at County Buildings, with depute Provost Kilpatrick left holding the chains until the council reconvenes next Tuesday.