Whitburn and Blackburn residents are facing a second by-election in a year after it was confirmed local Labour councillor David Russell had resigned.

Councillor Russell handed his resignation to Graham Hope, the council’s chief executive, on Monday morning.

It is understood he has also quit the Labour Party.

His decision has not been explained, and Russell has not responded to the Local Democracy Reporting Service’s requests for a statement.

It is a blow for the minority Labour-led administration, which will see its headcount reduced to just 11 councillors, including fellow Whitburn councillor George Paul.

Labour runs the West Lothian administration in a loose “confidence and supply” agreement, backed by four Conservatives, one Lib Dem and one Independent councillor.

Asked by the LDR

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