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Scots Lib Dem Leader quits post Scots Lib Dem Leader quits post
(10 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 fullThere 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.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.""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."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 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.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."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."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.""But it can all have an impact. And when that impact becomes too great, it is time to put my family first."