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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Scots Lib Dem Leader quits post | Scots Lib Dem Leader quits post |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen has resigned from his role to spend more time with his family. | Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen has resigned from his role to spend more time with his family. |
| The former Scottish deputy first minister said the stresses and strains the job placed on his family life had become too great. | The former Scottish deputy first minister said the stresses and strains the job placed on his family life had become too great. |
| However, he will remain as the MSP for Aberdeen South. | However, he will remain as the MSP for Aberdeen South. |
| Mr Stephen's shock immediate announcement came less than a week after the Labour leader Wendy Alexander quit amid a row over donations. | Mr Stephen's shock immediate announcement came less than a week after the Labour leader Wendy Alexander quit amid a row over donations. |
| The Scottish Liberal Democrats were ousted from power by the SNP last May, after serving in coalition rule with Labour for eight years. | The Scottish Liberal Democrats were ousted from power by the SNP last May, after serving in coalition rule with Labour for eight years. |
| But while the Scottish Labour leader at the time, Jack McConnell, later stood down, Mr Stephen stayed on to lead his party in opposition. | But while the Scottish Labour leader at the time, Jack McConnell, later stood down, Mr Stephen stayed on to lead his party in opposition. |
| There is rarely a weekend, a birthday or a family holiday when the demands of the job do not intrude Nicol Stephen Resignation statement in full | |
| Mr Stephen, who has four children aged between four and 12, said in a statement that family now had to take priority. | |
| "Everyone involved in politics knows that there are stresses and strains on family life. But when it goes beyond that, when it crosses a line, something has to be done." | |
| "And at that stage - when you have to make a choice between family and politics - there can only be one answer. | |
| "The health and wellbeing of your family has got to come first." | |
| The responsibility of being a party leader, Mr Stephen said, had been even more demanding than those of being an MSP, adding: "You have to be available every day, every week. | |
| "There is rarely a weekend, a birthday or a family holiday when the demands of the job do not intrude. | |
| "That is not to complain - long hours and long absences from home go with the job. | |
| "But it can all have an impact. And when that impact becomes too great, it is time to put my family first." |