This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/07/alistair-carmichael-legal-challenge

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

Version 0 Version 1
Alistair Carmichael legal challenge broadcast live on TV Alistair Carmichael legal challenge broadcast live on TV
(35 minutes later)
The first election court hearing in Scotland for 50 years will be broadcast live on TV on Monday as a legal challenge to the election of Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael begins.The first election court hearing in Scotland for 50 years will be broadcast live on TV on Monday as a legal challenge to the election of Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael begins.
The former Scottish secretary came under pressure to quit after admitting responsibility for a leaked memo written by a civil servant that wrongly suggested the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, wanted David Cameron to win the general election.The former Scottish secretary came under pressure to quit after admitting responsibility for a leaked memo written by a civil servant that wrongly suggested the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, wanted David Cameron to win the general election.
The cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, ordered an inquiry after the memo, which claimed Sturgeon told the French ambassador, Sylvie Bermann, that she would prefer to see the Conservatives remain in power, became public.The cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, ordered an inquiry after the memo, which claimed Sturgeon told the French ambassador, Sylvie Bermann, that she would prefer to see the Conservatives remain in power, became public.
Following the investigation, Carmichael, who had previously insisted he was unaware of the memo, admitted he had allowed his special adviser, Euan Roddin, to release details of the document, which appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 3 April.Following the investigation, Carmichael, who had previously insisted he was unaware of the memo, admitted he had allowed his special adviser, Euan Roddin, to release details of the document, which appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 3 April.
The petition was lodged by a number of Carmichael’s Orkney and Shetland constituents in a bid to oust him.The petition was lodged by a number of Carmichael’s Orkney and Shetland constituents in a bid to oust him.
The legal challenge – funded via a crowd-funding appeal – is being brought under Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which makes it a criminal offence to release a “false statement” about the character and conduct of an election candidate. The legal challenge – funded via a crowdfunding appeal – is being brought under Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which makes it a criminal offence to release a “false statement” about the character and conduct of an election candidate.
The election court will sit for two days at court one of the court of session in Edinburgh to hear the legal challenge, while full coverage of the trial will be aired on the STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh channels and online.The election court will sit for two days at court one of the court of session in Edinburgh to hear the legal challenge, while full coverage of the trial will be aired on the STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh channels and online.
The Judicial Office for Scotland said permission was granted by the lord justice clerk, Lord Carloway, for live broadcast arrangements to be put in place due to the “exceptional circumstances” presented by the case.The Judicial Office for Scotland said permission was granted by the lord justice clerk, Lord Carloway, for live broadcast arrangements to be put in place due to the “exceptional circumstances” presented by the case.
Using remote-controlled cameras, STV has agreed to share the live feed with other media organisations wishing to broadcast on their own platforms.Using remote-controlled cameras, STV has agreed to share the live feed with other media organisations wishing to broadcast on their own platforms.
An SCTS spokesman said: “The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service held constructive discussions with all parties involved, in reaching an agreement to broadcast the election court and we are pleased STV has agreed to facilitate this.An SCTS spokesman said: “The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service held constructive discussions with all parties involved, in reaching an agreement to broadcast the election court and we are pleased STV has agreed to facilitate this.
“Guidelines have been put in place to allow proceedings to be streamed live in this exceptional case, which will enable constituents in Orkney and Shetland and across the whole of the UK to view the trial.”“Guidelines have been put in place to allow proceedings to be streamed live in this exceptional case, which will enable constituents in Orkney and Shetland and across the whole of the UK to view the trial.”
The case, which is thought to be the first election petition brought in Scotland since 1965, will be heard by two judges, Lady Paton and Lord Matthews.The case, which is thought to be the first election petition brought in Scotland since 1965, will be heard by two judges, Lady Paton and Lord Matthews.