A women’s group has left umbrella body Scottish Women’s Aid after being told that having a man on its board breached the network's rules.

Moray Women’s Aid, based in Elgin in Scotland, has had Graham Leadbitter, a local councillor on its board, for eight years. But Scottish Women’s Aid told the charity that this did not comply with its rules, which require its member charities to have female-only boards.

Rather than ask Leadbitter to stand down, Moray Women’s Aid left the network.

The SWA said in a statement: "We're sorry to confirm that Moray Women's Aid are no longer members of the Scottish Women's Aid network and we wish them all the very best as they continue to provide vital services for women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse across Moray.

"Women are often excluded from making decisions about issues that predominantly affect women's lives; just look at the decision-making tables around Scotland.

"Women-only boards are important for Scottish Women's Aid, because we recognise that in Scotland historically and currently women are not equal, and do not have the same opportunities and experiences as men.

"We want to challenge inequality at every level outwith and within our organisation, and that means promoting and protecting women's spaces and places as decision makers in the fight to end domestic abuse in Scotland.

"Whilst we are sorry that Moray have left our network, we remain committed to and passionate about women-only boards in our national network, with a strong and positive history of women helping women."