A Fife councillor has left his party and pulled out of the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections.

Stefan Hoggan was set to contest the region’s North-East seat for the SNP at May’s Holyrood vote.

His move comes after a complaint of alleged misconduct was made, prompting the councillor to step back.

The SNP has confirmed he had resigned as a candidate and as a party member. It was also confirmed he will sit as an independent councillor at Fife House. No details have been given about the complaint which will no longer be subject to an investigation by the party as he has left.

Stefan Hoggan has pulled out of the Holyrood election and left the SNP

placeholder image — Stefan Hoggan has pulled out of the Holyrood election and left the SNP

Mr Hoggan, a former Paralympian swimmer, was first elected as a councillor for Cupar in 2022. He also contested the North East Fife seat at the General Election, finishing second to the Lib Dems’ Wendy Chamberlain.