IT has been a running sore for the Labour Party for more than two years, but now the chance has come for the end of the Labour-Tory ‘Better Together’ administration in Aberdeen City Council, even though they probably don’t want it.

Following the death of SNP councillor Sandy Stuart on Wednesday, it was announced yesterday that controversial Tory councillor Brett Hunt has quit his seat in the same Bridge of Don ward where Stuart was elected.

There will now be by-elections that could threaten the Labour-Tory-independent administration that was formed after the 2017 elections.

Even though the SNP won the largest number of seats with 19 out of the 45 on the council, the nine Labour councillors joined in a formal coalition with the 11 Tories and three independents to have a majority of one.

The Labour councillors were suspended by the party for going against the instructions of the then leader Kezia Dugdale and entering a formal coalition deal – unlike other ‘Better Together’ councils, Labour and Tory groups have undeclared ‘arrangements’ rather than pacts. They now call themselves Aberdeen Labour and group leader Jenny Laing is co-leader of the council with her Tory counterpart Douglas Lumsden.

Should the Tories not win the seat vacated by Hunt – he was swiftly removed from the council’s website yesterday – the administration could fall.

Hunt had earned the nickname "the member for the Bridge of Dubai" after the oil industry businessman had to admit that he was working abroad and would find it difficult to attend meetings in his ward.

READ MORE: Tory councillor defends spending last six months in Dubai

At the time when the SNP group leader Stephen Flynn said: “The people of Aberdeen will be questioning how someone who is reputedly very rarely in the city can seriously vote on the council budget.”

In his reignation letter, former councillor Hunt, said: “When I was elected as a councillor for Bridge of Don in the Aberdeen local elections in 2017, it was one of the proudest moments of my life.

“With nearly 30% of the vote in a four-member ward, that vote of confidence to represent the people of Bridge of Don was a huge honour and responsibility that I take very seriously.

“As everyone in the north-east knows, those of us who work in the energy sector have endured and continue to endure a tumultuous period.

“Like many others, I have gone where the work has taken me.

“I have remained fully committed to people in my ward and I have always worked hard to raise issues on their behalf. However, it has become clear that a permanent return to Aberdeen is not likely in the near future.

“I hope people will understand that there are times when we must put family first That leads me to the regrettable decision of resigning as a councillor for Bridge of Don.

“I would like to thank you and all the staff at the council for all the help you have provided throughout my time at the council.

“I also want to thank the people of the Bridge of Don for putting their faith in me – it was a great privilege to represent them.”

The National revealed in February that he had not attended any meetings since September.