Glasgow's longest-serving councillor has been booted off the local authority as he could not use a laptop to participate in virtual meetings.
Jim Coleman, 74, was unable to conduct council business in person from March 2020 as he was told to self-isolate under coronavirus lockdown rules.
By the time Glasgow City Council resumed non-essential business later that year the veteran Labour politician could not work IT equipment to allow him to participate in virtual meetings.
Coleman - who has spent 33 years representing the Baillieston ward - fell foul of a strict law which says all councillors must attend at least one meeting every six months or automatically lose their seat.
The veteran politician was still writing letters and making phone calls on behalf of his constituents on a daily basis but could not attend the City Chambers in person for health reasons.
A Labour source told the Record: "Jim worked in a very traditional way. He could not attend virtual meetings but no one could accuse of him not doing the duties of a local councillor over this past year.
"Jim's laptop wasn't properly operative. We've all been experiencing problems with council-issued technology.
"Before the pandemic he was in the council building on every business day."
In a statement, Coleman said: “I am deeply disappointed to be leaving the Council after 33 years in this fashion. I had intended to continue to serve my community until the council elections in 2022.
"I have been caught out by legislation which fails to recognise the work that I have continued to do and have always done in my community.
"I wish my council colleagues, particularly those in the Labour Group, all the best for the future.”
The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 states that a member of a local authority loses office if they do not attend a meeting at least once in any 6-month period.
The act applies automatically if councillors do not proactively take a decision to accept the member’s absence.
The date of the by election to replace Coleman has not yet been set.
