If an under-fire Moray councillor decided to resign in the next three weeks, it would cost the taxpayer up to £40,000.
Buckie councillor Neil McLennan made headlines when he moved to Cairo, Egypt, but vowed to continue representing his Buckie ward – which is 2500 miles away.
Cllr McLennan made the move after taking a job as the deputy head at the secondary school at Malvern College in the city – without making a public announcement to his constituents.
He will continue to receive his £26,000-a-year Moray Council salary.
Since the story broke, there has been little backlash from his fellow councillors. On the surface, that may seem unusual. However, they have good reason to tread carefully.
Should Cllr McLennan resign from his Buckie post before November 6, it would trigger a ward by-election, costing the taxpayer between £35,000 to £40,000 – far more than his £25,982 councillor salary.
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November 6 will mark six months until the next council elections in May 2027 – meaning there is no requirement for the council to hold a by-election.
It could be that critics make their voices heard after this date.
The only councillor to publicly call for Cllr McLennan’s resignation so far is Derek Ross (Speyside Glenlivet).
He previously said: “He should do the right thing by the people of Buckie and Moray – resign and trigger a by-election.
“At the moment, he is not serving these people.”