Glasgow's longest serving councillor has lost his job because he can't attend virtual meetings.
Veteran Labour politician Jim Coleman, 74, was unable to use IT equipment necessary to participate online after being told to self isolate for health reasons.
Despite 33 years of service and working continuously behind the scenes on behalf of his Baillieston ward, he's fallen foul of a strict law that says all councillors must attend at least one meeting every six months.
Councillor Coleman was a fixture at city chambers for decades, and when lockdown was imposed in March last year he was forced to stay home, the Daily Record reports.
When Glasgow City Council resumed non-essential business a few months later the Labour councillor struggled to use the laptop necessary to attend virtual meetings.
However, he continued to write letters and make phone calls on behalf of constituents on a daily basis.
A Labour source told the Daily 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.
