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Constituent shock over Alistair Carmichael memo 'lie' Constituent's 'shock' over Alistair Carmichael memo 'lie'
(35 minutes later)
A constituent challenging the election of Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has said she was shocked by his "lie" over a leaked memo.A constituent challenging the election of Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has said she was shocked by his "lie" over a leaked memo.
Fiona Grahame is one of four of the Lib Dem MP's constituents who have raised a court action against him under the Representation of the People Act 1983.Fiona Grahame is one of four of the Lib Dem MP's constituents who have raised a court action against him under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
They claim he misled voters over the memo leaked before May's election.They claim he misled voters over the memo leaked before May's election.
The memo claimed that SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon would prefer Tory David Cameron to remain as prime minister.The memo claimed that SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon would prefer Tory David Cameron to remain as prime minister.
Giving evidence at a special election court in Edinburgh, Ms Grahame, 57, from Sandwick in Orkney, described herself as an active member of the Scottish Green Party who had stood as a candidate in a by-election.Giving evidence at a special election court in Edinburgh, Ms Grahame, 57, from Sandwick in Orkney, described herself as an active member of the Scottish Green Party who had stood as a candidate in a by-election.
Her complaint arose from a story in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, at the start of the general election campaign in April.Her complaint arose from a story in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, at the start of the general election campaign in April.
Full responsibilityFull responsibility
Mr Carmichael - Scottish secretary in the Tory-Lib Dem coalition before the election and now his party's only MP in Scotland - 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 - 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.
Ms Grahame said: "I was very shocked actually and my first reaction was how, kind of, how stupid is this.Ms Grahame said: "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.""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.""I was shocked that he lied to us."
'Don't like opposition''Don't like opposition'
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, told the election court it was a "political show trial".Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, told the election court it was a "political show trial".
He said: "It's being funded by people, principally the nationalists, who don't like opposition."He said: "It's being funded by people, principally the nationalists, who don't like opposition."
Mr Carmichael's lawyers argue his actions were political and did not affect his re-election.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 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.
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.