This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24004675

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

Version 0 Version 1
Convicted MSP Bill Walker resigns Bill Walker resigns as MSP after pressure over domestic abuse convictions
(35 minutes later)
MSP Bill Walker has resigned after being convicted last month of a series of domestic abuse offences.MSP Bill Walker has resigned after being convicted last month of a series of domestic abuse offences.
Walker, 71, had been facing pressure to step down from the Scottish Parliament over the offences committed against three of his ex-wives.Walker, 71, had been facing pressure to step down from the Scottish Parliament over the offences committed against three of his ex-wives.
More than half of Scotland's 129 MSPs had backed a motion calling for him to go.More than half of Scotland's 129 MSPs had backed a motion calling for him to go.
The independent MSP for Dunfermline said a "media onslaught" had made it impossible for him to continue.The independent MSP for Dunfermline said a "media onslaught" had made it impossible for him to continue.
Walker, from Alloa in Clackmannanshire, is due to be sentenced in late September.Walker, from Alloa in Clackmannanshire, is due to be sentenced in late September.
He had been found guilty of 23 charges spanning almost three decades, following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.He had been found guilty of 23 charges spanning almost three decades, following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Maximum sentenceMaximum sentence
The attacks had been carried out against his ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995.The attacks had been carried out against his ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995.
The former SNP MSP, who was ejected from the party when the allegations surfaced, denied the charges.The former SNP MSP, who was ejected from the party when the allegations surfaced, denied the charges.
The law states that any elected member jailed for more than one year will be disqualified.The law states that any elected member jailed for more than one year will be disqualified.
But in summary cases heard in sheriff courts in Scotland, the maximum sentence that can be handed down is one year, which would have allowed Walker to remain as an MSP even if he is jailed.But in summary cases heard in sheriff courts in Scotland, the maximum sentence that can be handed down is one year, which would have allowed Walker to remain as an MSP even if he is jailed.
In a statement, Walker said he had submitted his resignation to the Scottish Parliament as MSP for Dunfermline.In a statement, Walker said he had submitted his resignation to the Scottish Parliament as MSP for Dunfermline.
He added: "It has been increasingly difficult for my wife and my staff to deal with the media interest in my case. That same media onslaught has also made it impossible to properly represent my constituents and their interests.He added: "It has been increasingly difficult for my wife and my staff to deal with the media interest in my case. That same media onslaught has also made it impossible to properly represent my constituents and their interests.
"My trial process on domestic abuse charges still continues at Edinburgh Sheriff Court with the sentence not due to be announced until September 20 after the receipt of the reports ordered by the court."My trial process on domestic abuse charges still continues at Edinburgh Sheriff Court with the sentence not due to be announced until September 20 after the receipt of the reports ordered by the court.
"However, circumstances have made it very difficult to continue as [an] MSP, hence my decision to withdraw now.""However, circumstances have made it very difficult to continue as [an] MSP, hence my decision to withdraw now."
As a constituency MSP, Walker's resignation means a by-election will be held in Dunfermline.
Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said he was pleased Walker had gone.
"Bill Walker should have understood immediately the gravity of his situation but it has taken 16 days for the penny to drop," he said.
"It is sad that he continues to blame others instead of taking responsibility himself for his own actions."
Mr Rennie said that it would have been wrong for someone convicted of so many counts of domestic violence to return to parliament.
"The uprising of revulsion from people and parliament against domestic violence is one of the satisfying features of this sorry episode," he added.
"The message is clear: we will not tolerate domestic violence."
Earlier, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond called for Holyrood to be given power over the disqualification of MSPs.
Mr Salmond has written to UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg arguing that the Scottish Parliament should have the ability to decide the arrangements in such cases.