THE cost of a botched by-election has spiralled to more than £22,000, Renfrewshire Council has confirmed.

Local authority chiefs had to scrap the poll in the Paisley Southeast ward in November when it emerged that former councillor Paul Mack had lodged another appeal against his disqualification.

They were waiting on a final invoice from Royal Mail to establish the total outlay, having determined initial costs had reached £15,823 in December.

Elected members had demanded to know the “total cost to the public purse” of the calling of and subsequent cancellation of the by-election, which has now been established as £22,342.

This includes costs of the printing and postage of ballot papers and postal vote packs, as well as external legal fees.

The situation has been branded a “disgrace” by Councillor Eddie Devine.

He said: “It’s an absolute waste of money that didn’t need to happen if the council had done their job correctly.”

The by-election – triggered after Mr Mack’s appeal against a 16-month ban was rejected by the Sheriff Principal on October 21 – was due to take place on December 14.

He had been disqualified from being an elected representative over a series of “personal attacks” directed at colleagues, which the Standards Commission said “amounted to harassment.”

However, Mr Mack launched a further appeal in the Court of Session, which the by-election’s returning officer Ken Graham was made aware of when he received a letter from the former elected member’s solicitors.

Mr Graham in turn sought legal advice and found the by-election could not proceed.

Councillor Devine said costs had been incurred by the candidates, as well as the council.

He added: “Hopefully the council have learned a lesson. They should know what they are doing.”

Mr Mack stood in this month's council election as an independent but was not elected.

“I’m very happy that the people saw through him and didn’t vote him in,” Councillor Devine added.

A council spokesman said: “Renfrewshire’s returning officer issued his sincere apology to candidates, agents and local voters for the disruption, disappointment and inconvenience caused by the cancellation last year of the Paisley Southeast by-election, explaining the reason behind this decision in a full statement at that time and subsequently ensuring the final cost impact of the cancellation has been provided to all elected members.”