The director of education and recreation in Aberdeenshire has dramatically resigned after just 16 months in the job, reportedly with a pound;90,000 pay-off.
Sohail Faruqi, a former official in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, was a surprise appointment and his attempts to make changes are thought to have fallen foul of some staff.
A terse statement said Mr Faruqi would leave his post by mutual consent with effect from October 6, citing “personal and family reasons”. The timing may not be unconnected to the forthcoming visit by HMIE.