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| Scots Lib Dem leader quits post | |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Nicol Stephen has made the shock decision to quit as Scottish Lib Dem leader, saying the job was putting too much stress on his family life. | Nicol Stephen has made the shock decision to quit as Scottish Lib Dem leader, saying the job was putting too much stress on his family life. |
| The former Scottish deputy first minister said his wife and four children had to take priority. | The former Scottish deputy first minister said his wife and four children had to take priority. |
| Mr Stephen, who was leader for three years, said he would stay on as MSP for Aberdeen South. | Mr Stephen, who was leader for three years, said he would stay on as MSP for Aberdeen South. |
| The party's deputy leader, Michael Moore MP, is to take charge while a leadership contest is staged. | The party's deputy leader, Michael Moore MP, is to take charge while a leadership contest is staged. |
| Mr Stephen's immediate resignation came less than a week after Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander quit, amid an ongoing row over donations to her leadership campaign. | Mr Stephen's immediate resignation came less than a week after Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander quit, amid an ongoing row over donations to her leadership campaign. |
| Party bosses will meet shortly to confirm a timetable to choose his successor, who is likely to be in place in September. | Party bosses will meet shortly to confirm a timetable to choose his successor, who is likely to be in place in September. |
| 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 | 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 |
| Possible contenders may include Shetland MSP and former transport minister Tavish Scott and the colourful backbencher Mike Rumbles, who previously challenged for the leadership. | Possible contenders may include Shetland MSP and former transport minister Tavish Scott and the colourful backbencher Mike Rumbles, who previously challenged for the leadership. |
| 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. |
| In a statement, he said it was time to put his four children, aged between four and 12, and his wife, Caris, first. | In a statement, he said it was time to put his four children, aged between four and 12, and his wife, Caris, first. |
| "Everyone involved in politics knows that there are stresses and strains on family life," Mr Stephen said. | "Everyone involved in politics knows that there are stresses and strains on family life," Mr Stephen said. |
| "But when it goes beyond that, when it crosses a line, something has to be done. | "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. |
| Mr Stephen served alongside Labour's Jack McConnell in coalition government | Mr Stephen served alongside Labour's Jack McConnell in coalition government |
| "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." |
| Mr Stephen's predecessor as leader, Lord Wallace, said he had done the "right thing". | Mr Stephen's predecessor as leader, Lord Wallace, said he had done the "right thing". |
| "His determination, as party leader, to engage and involve young people and to build up the Party's support from the grassroots, will be a valuable legacy for his successor," added Lord Wallace. | "His determination, as party leader, to engage and involve young people and to build up the Party's support from the grassroots, will be a valuable legacy for his successor," added Lord Wallace. |
| Former Liberal Party leader and Scottish Parliament presiding officer Lord Steel said of Mr Stephen: "I wholly understand his decision. But I am equally certain that a man of his talent will return to the front line of politics in due course." | Former Liberal Party leader and Scottish Parliament presiding officer Lord Steel said of Mr Stephen: "I wholly understand his decision. But I am equally certain that a man of his talent will return to the front line of politics in due course." |
| Under party rules, the post of Scottish Lib Dem leader must be filled by an MSP nominated by at least one other. | Under party rules, the post of Scottish Lib Dem leader must be filled by an MSP nominated by at least one other. |
| If there is more than one nominee, the winner will be decided by a ballot of party members. | If there is more than one nominee, the winner will be decided by a ballot of party members. |