Former top policeman in Highland by-election race

FIVE candidates are bidding for a seat on Highland Council left vacant following the resignation of a councillor accused of electoral fraud.

Five candidates have been named for the by-election. Picture: TSPL

Those seeking election in the Landward Caithness ward include former area commander for Caithness and Sutherland, Matthew Reiss, who is running as an independent.

The other candidates are Ed Boyter, Scottish National Party, Kerensa Carr, Scottish Conservative, Tina Irving, Independent, and Winifred Sutherland, Independent.

The vacancy has arisen following the resignation of Alex MacLeod who was one of four Councillors representing Landward Caithness and who is due to appear in court charged with electoral fraud during the 2012 local authority elections.

The other Ward members are Councillors David Bremner, Willie Mackay and Gillian Coghill.

The by-election will be held on Thursday, November 28, and voting will take place at 14 polling stations across the ward. The count will take place at The Assembly Rooms in Wick on Friday, November 29.