Council co-leader urged to refer himself over trip row

Martin Kitts-Hayes returned from Denmark

The Aberdeenshire Council co-leader is being urged to refer himself to the Standards Commission for not staying at a foreign conference because the accommodation was not good enough.

Martin Kitts-Hayes, of the Progressive Independent Group on Aberdeenshire Council, was due to attend the North Sea Commission earlier this month.

He later said his decision to leave Legoland was a "poor one".

Councillors called for Mr Kitts-Hayes to consider referring himself.

It is believed the aborted trip cost the council a four-figure sum.

The decision to return home led to the council's chief executive announcing the circumstances would be investigated.

Mr Kitts-Hayes is the councillor for Inverurie and District, and is co council leader with the SNP's Richard Thomson.