The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) chairman Adrian Smith’s decision to step-down from his post with immediate effect following his conviction for drink driving.

As reported by AM last week, Smith, who had held the post for seven years, was banned from driving for two years and fined £2,000 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last week, just over a month after police found him in his car unnamed road between the A93 and A90 in Milltimber.

When breathalysed Smith was found to be more than five times over Scotland’s legal drink driving limit, with 116 micrograms of alcohol in his breath.

Smith, who had previously run Adrian Smith Saab, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

His solicitor, Gregor Kelly, told the court that Smith had recently suffered the death of his father and also the loss of his position at an oil company, Aberdeen's Press & Journal newspaper reported.

Kelly described Smith’s drink driving as “an isolated incident”, adding that there was no suggestion that he was anything other than a law abiding citizen.

A statement issued by the IMI this week said: “The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) can confirm that Adrian Smith has taken the decision to step down as chairman with immediate effect, having served seven years in the role. 

“We would like to thank him for the enormous contribution he has made to the organisation and wish him well for the future.

“Kevin Finn, currently Honorary Treasurer for the IMI has kindly agreed to step in as interim chairman.”

Speaking to AM following Smith’s conviction last week, IMI chief executive Steve Nash said that the the IMI chairman had been “a standout chairman for the IMI for seven years”, adding that his contribution to the industry, especially in Scotland, had been “huge”.

Nash added: "No one will be beating themselves up about this more than him. I know he's mortified.

"This was wholly out of character and very much linked to recent events in his life which I'm not at liberty to comment on."