This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6201737.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Minister quits after Trident vote Minister quits after Trident vote
(about 12 hours later)
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has resigned from the Scottish government after voting with the SNP over the replacement of Trident.Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has resigned from the Scottish government after voting with the SNP over the replacement of Trident.
He was one of four Labour members who supported the SNP's motion opposing the replacement of the nuclear submarines with up-to-date models.He was one of four Labour members who supported the SNP's motion opposing the replacement of the nuclear submarines with up-to-date models.
Mr Chisholm said his decision had been a "matter of principle".Mr Chisholm said his decision had been a "matter of principle".
The Scottish Parliament failed to agree a position on the future of the Clyde-based fleet.The Scottish Parliament failed to agree a position on the future of the Clyde-based fleet.
Mr Chisholm has already spoken out against the UK Government's plans to replace the nuclear submarines, which are based at Faslane. Mr Chisholm, whose successor will be announced in the New Year, has already spoken out against the UK Government's plans to replace the nuclear submarines, based at Faslane.
It is not the first time he has been vocal about Labour policy. In 1997 he was one of the first ministers to resign from Tony Blair's government and he was later critical over the war in Iraq. The one-time health minister has also been critical of the Iraq war and the removal of failed asylum seekers using dawn raids.
In 2005, he also described the controversial UK Government policy of dawn raids to remove failed asylum seekers as "totally unnecessary, heavy handed and over the top."
It is not tenable for a minister to be going against the Labour whip in the way that I did Malcolm Chisholm Full interview Send us your viewsIt is not tenable for a minister to be going against the Labour whip in the way that I did Malcolm Chisholm Full interview Send us your views
In his resignation letter, he told First Minister Jack McConnell: "It is with deep regret that I find myself unable to accept the official Labour position on the issue of Trident today. The MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith said he was unable to accept Labour's position on Trident, but would remain "completely united" with the party on other policies.
"In those circumstances, notwithstanding the fact that it is a reserved issue, I realise that it is not tenable for me to continue as one of your ministers." In his resignation letter, he told First Minister Jack McConnell: "In those circumstances, notwithstanding the fact that it is a reserved issue, I realise that it is not tenable for me to continue as one of your ministers."
The MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith, who has also served as health minister, said that while they disagreed over the Trident issue, he and the first minister would be "completely united" on the party's other policies. Mr McConnell said Mr Chisholm had made a substantial contribution to government, but added: "I understand Malcolm's position and have accepted his resignation."
Mr McConnell said: "Malcolm Chisholm has made a substantial contribution to devolved government in Scotland in both the health and communities portfolios, and I am very grateful for that.
"But I understand Malcolm's position and have accepted his resignation."
A second resignationA second resignation
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Chisholm said: "The important thing for me was to signal my opposition to Trident and the obvious way to do that was to vote for that last motion put to the parliament. Mr Chisholm told BBC Scotland that signalling his opposition to Trident was important
"It was not easy for me, in fact it proved impossible for me to have said one thing a couple of weeks ago and vote the opposite of it today. "It was not easy for me, in fact it proved impossible for me to have said one thing a couple of weeks ago and vote the opposite of it today," he said.
"Clearly it is not tenable for a minister to be going against the Labour whip in the way that I did." Following the announcement, Jacqui Watt, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said she appreciated Mr Chisholm's reasons for resigning.
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Mr Chisholm for taking "a principled stance" and described his resignation as a "body blow" for the first minister. She said: "We look forward to the same constructive arrangements with the incoming minister."
"Only two weeks ago Mr McConnell told all MSPs to act with their conscience and now it appears that he cannot stand to have anyone with integrity in his own cabinet," she said. Homeless charity Shelter Scotland took the opportunity to urge the new communities minister to increase funding for affordable housing.
Director Archie Stoddart said: "Malcolm Chisholm has shown strong personal commitment to his portfolio during his time as communities minister."
'Out of touch''Out of touch'
"The first minister has failed to stand up for Scotland on the issue of Trident and has time and time again rolled over to his London bosses. SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Mr Chisholm for taking "a principled stance" and described his resignation as a "body blow" for the first minister.
"This whole issue demonstrates just how out of touch he is with the Scottish public and even members of his own party." "This whole issue demonstrates just how out of touch he is with the Scottish public and even members of his own party," she said.
The SNP's motion was defeated by 72 to 45, while three amendments - lodged by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives - were also defeated.The SNP's motion was defeated by 72 to 45, while three amendments - lodged by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives - were also defeated.
The other Labour rebels were Bill Butler, Elaine Smith and Marlyn Glenn. Labour rebel Marlyn Glenn, who backed the SNP along with party colleagues Bill Butler and Elaine Smith, said: "I very much regret that Malcolm felt the need to resign from the cabinet. He will be sadly missed."
Mr Chisholm's successor is not expected to be announced until next year.