Death Announced of Cllr Mitchell Burnett

Salmond and Stewart Stevenson pay tribute to "outstanding public servant"

The death has been announced of popular local Councillor Mitchell Burnett. Councillor Burnett lost his year long battle with cancer late on Monday afternoon, having been taken into hospital earlier that day.

Cllr Burnett had been a local councillor for over 15 years, serving first on Grampian Region and then Aberdeenshire Council. Last year he comfortably topped the poll in the new Troup ward before being elected Chair of the Banff and Buchan area committee.

Cllr Burnett, who would have been 70 on the 15 February, both owned a croft at Tyrie and was employed as farm worker. His interests outside politics included Scottish Country dancing which he taught for many years and the Young Farmers.

He is survived by his wife Helen and his daughter Barbara-Ann, who is engaged to Fraserburgh Councillor Andy Ritchie.Leading the tributes Banff & Buchan MP and First Minister Alex Salmond said:

"This is desperately sad news and the whole community will mourn the passing of an outstanding public servant. It speaks volumes for the high regard in which Mitchell was held that he was elected continuously over 15 years.

“He fought his illness courageously right to the end and I had the great pleasure of meeting him on Sunday night to present a lifetime achievement award for his work for Scotland's cause. He was very poorly but still cheerful, able to share a joke and determined to see in his 70th birthday.

“All our thoughts are with Helen, Barbara-Ann, Andy and all of Mitchell's friends and family."

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

"Mitchell was a stalwart – always totally committed and always willing to assist constituents or fellow party workers. We will all miss him very much indeed."

Banff & Buchan SNP Constituency Association Campaign Organiser Cllr Stuart Pratt said:

“Mitchell will be a great loss to the Party. He did a power of work not only publicly but also behind the scenes at our various summers events.

“He will be sorely missed, particularly by me as he was also a close personal friend.”