A COUNCILLOR jailed for 12 months for a £43,000 benefit fiddle has resigned from Highland Council.
John Holden had an undeclared income of £250,000 over six years while he falsely claimed for council tax benefit and income support. He was found guilty in July and sentenced last month.
Highland Council's chief executive Alistair Dodds has confirmed that Holden has resigned his membership of the Council following his conviction for benefit fraud.
Mr Dodds told the full council meeting at Inverness that he will now proceed with arrangements to hold a by-election to elect a replacement for Holden on Inverness South Ward.
As Returning Officer, he has three months from the date of resignation to hold a by-election and will be liaising with the leaders of the Council groups to agree arrangements to fill the vacancy.
Confiscation proceedings are now underway against Holden.
