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Constituent shock over Alistair Carmichael memo 'lie' | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A resident challenging the election of Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has said she was shocked about his "lie" over a leaked memo. | |
Four constituents have raised the action under the Representation of the People Act 1983. | |
They claim the Lib Dem misled voters over a memo claiming SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon would rather have seen David Cameron remain as prime minister. | |
Fiona Grahame was giving evidence at an election court in Edinburgh. | |
Ms Grahame, 57, from Sandwick, Orkney, described herself as an active member of the Scottish Green Party who had stood as a candidate in a by-election. | |
Ms Grahame said of the memo: "I was very shocked actually and my first reaction was how, kind of, how stupid is this. | |
"It was hard to get your head around the fact someone you know and trusted would do such a thing - as lie." | |
"I was shocked that he lied to us." | |
Mr Carmichael's lawyers argue his actions were political and did not affect his re-election. | |
The election court in Edinburgh is hearing evidence from six witnesses over four days. Legal argument was earlier heard in September. | |
The case is believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland for 50 years. | The case is believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland for 50 years. |
It arose from a story in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, at the start of the general election campaign in April. | It arose from a story in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, at the start of the general election campaign in April. |
Full responsibility | Full responsibility |
Mr Carmichael - Scottish secretary in the Tory-Lib Dem coalition before the election and now his party's only MP in Scotland - had authorised the leaking of a civil service memo, suggesting Ms Sturgeon had told the French ambassador she wanted David Cameron to remain in Downing Street. | Mr Carmichael - Scottish secretary in the Tory-Lib Dem coalition before the election and now his party's only MP in Scotland - had authorised the leaking of a civil service memo, suggesting Ms Sturgeon had told the French ambassador she wanted David Cameron to remain in Downing Street. |
He claimed in a TV interview the first he had heard of it was when he received a phone call from a reporter. | He claimed in a TV interview the first he had heard of it was when he received a phone call from a reporter. |
However, the MP then admitted full responsibility for sanctioning its release, and accepted the details of the account were not correct. | However, the MP then admitted full responsibility for sanctioning its release, and accepted the details of the account were not correct. |
The petitioners argue his actions call into question his integrity as an individual and his suitability to represent the constituency at Westminster. | The petitioners argue his actions call into question his integrity as an individual and his suitability to represent the constituency at Westminster. |
Judges ruled last month the legal challenge could proceed. | Judges ruled last month the legal challenge could proceed. |
September's hearing was broadcast and streamed live online. The evidence from these latest six witnesses will not be broadcast, but the lawyers' closing statements may be. | September's hearing was broadcast and streamed live online. The evidence from these latest six witnesses will not be broadcast, but the lawyers' closing statements may be. |
The two judges, Lady Paton and Lord Matthews, will present their judgement to the House of Commons at a later date. | The two judges, Lady Paton and Lord Matthews, will present their judgement to the House of Commons at a later date. |