A top Tory councillor claims he has quit his party in disgust — after Boris Johnson's failure to deal with a string of Covid breaches in his own ranks.
Hugh Hunter has stepped down from the South Ayrshire Conservative Group after 25 years as a party member.
He spent 23 of those as a sitting councillor, including a spell as the authority's leader.
But he insists open anarchy within Tory quarters proved the "last straw" and led to his early departure from the party this week.
It follows his failure to be reselected for the Conservative team at next May's elections.
Cllr Hunter, 76, earlier claimed he had been the victim of an "ageist" internal policy in being dumped.
Now he has dropped a bombshell by walking early and will serve the remainder of his term as an independent.
He told Ayrshire Live: "It is with a heavy heart that I have done this, but it needed to be done all the same.
"It would be true to say I have been unhappy with Boris for a while now, but his recent actions have given me no choice than to take this decision earlier than I'd have liked.
"The breaches of Covid regulations within the Conservative ranks should have been called out — from the Dominic Cummings farce at Barnard Castle to the Christmas parties in Downing Street.
"For Boris to stand there and hold a frivolous press conference trying to brush everything under the carpet is simply not acceptable."
Cllr Hunter's resignation came as Tory bosses prepared to remove him from his position on a number of key council panels.
It followed his intimation that he would stand as an independent in five months' time.
He added: "I will very much remain a voice for Prestwick between now and the end of this current council term — and hopefully beyond.
"It has been a privilege to serve the Conservatives for more than 20 years but an even greater privilege to serve the people of Prestwick and I very much want that to continue."
Council leader, Peter Henderson, paid tribute to the outgoing Tory, saying: "I am very sorry to hear of Hugh's decision and departure from committees where he has long and experience for the council and public sector.
"I do think we will miss his knowledge and experience, especially with such a short period left in this council.
"I would like to place on record my thanks and the thanks of the council for Hugh's long and distinguished service."
Depute leader, Brian McGinley, added: "I think that Cllr Hunter's contributions over 20 years should be recognised by this council.
"He has been one of the more diligent members to attend to a range of responsibilities. He will be missed and has done a good job for the council."
Independent Cllr Alec Clark said: "I have worked with Councillor Hunter since my days chairing Girvan and District Community Council and as a member since 2012.
"He has always been a diligent worker and I am sure that the Conservative Party's loss will be the independent's gain."
Cllr Martin Dowey, leader of the Tory group in South Ayrshire, said: "Hugh is a good friend of mine and these things unfortunately happen from time to time.
"I genuinely wish Hugh the best for the future. I know he is not going away anywhere and will continue to contribute as he has done in the past.
"On behalf of the Conservative group, it has been a pleasure."
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