THE Highlands' first transgender councillor has announced she is resigning due to “personal reasons”.
SNP councillor Sarah Fanet, representing Fort William and Ardnamurchan ward on Highland Council, announced that she would be stepping down at the end of October and returning to France.
In a three-and-a-half-minute-long video on Facebook, Fanet, who became the first openly transgender councillor on the local authority when she won a by-election in December 2021, said it had been an “immense honour” to serve the local community.
Speaking from Cuil Bay in South Lochaber, Fanet said in the video: “It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing today that in a few weeks I will be leaving the Highlands for personal reasons.
“I cannot therefore continue to represent you as your councillor for the ward of Fort William and Ardnamurchan, and I will be stepping down from this role at the end of October.
"It’s been an immense honour and privilege to represent you and I want again, from the bottom of my heart, to thank you for trusting me and electing me twice.
“I want to thank everyone, community councils, community groups, everyone, however you voted, for engaging with me and working with me to help me bring a difference to the people of Lochaber.”
Fanet added that she wanted to say a “special thank you” to SNP volunteers in Lochaber for “their hard work to bring democracy to our doors”.
“They’re friends and I know them well, and I can assure you that they hold the interest of all the people of Lochaber at the heart of what they do,” she added.
“So I hope you will be able to speak to them and give them a warm welcome, whatever your politics, next time they come and knock on your door.”
Fanet added that she believed many communities in the Highlands are sometimes “ignored, forgotten or not listened to” due to their geographical location.
“I have worked guided by the principle that every community matters, and no community is remote, and I hope that this principle will continue to inspire other elected members, present or future,” Fanet added.
“Finally, in a few weeks I will be living again on the continent, after nearly four decades of absence.
“I will be leaving the Highlands, but the Highlands will not leave me.
“I will be watching very closely, and I can assure you that the day when Scotland is free and back in the European family, you will have a friend there waiting for you with open arms.”
In response, Emma Knox, SNP councillor for Aird and Loch Ness ward, said: "Thanks for everything Sarah. You will be sorely missed in the SNP Council Group.
"Loved working with you, your humour and your passion for your local communities. Good luck and leave the light on."
Lochaber Pride added: "Oh Sarah, your presence will be a huge loss not only for the SNP but for the whole of Lochaber. You were a fantastic local Councillor and made such a difference.
"We will never forget the support you have given us over the years. You were a friend to many, and we will always be here for you."
One local resident added: "So sorry to see this Sarah, you've been a massive help to me and my family and many, many others in Lochaber. You will be sorely missed by everyone, not just as a councillor but as a friendly neighbour who always has a smile and takes a minute to stop and say hello.
"I hope this next chapter in your life is a happy one, and our paths cross again."
Previously, Fanet was shortlisted to contest the Inverness and Nairn constituency for the SNP at the Holyrood election, but lost to current MSP Emma Roddick.
Fanet has also said she keeps being trans out of politics, and during her time on the local authority was the vice chair of the climate change committee, and also sat on the education, Gaelic and Lochaber committees.
She also campaigned for local primary schools and marine conservation.
