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-north-east-orkney-shetland-34760810
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Alistair Carmichael memo leak 'politically beneficial' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael thought it was "politically beneficial" to leak a memo about Nicola Sturgeon during the general election campaign. | |
The Lib Dem MP was giving evidence at a special election court being held in Edinburgh. | |
Four constituents have raised a court action against him under the Representation of the People Act 1983. | |
They say he misled voters over the memo leaked before May's election. | They say 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. |
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. |
Both the ambassador and the first minister denied the accuracy of the civil service memo. | Both the ambassador and the first minister denied the accuracy of the civil service memo. |
Mr Carmichael had denied leaking the memo, claiming in a TV interview the first he had heard of it was when he received a phone call from a reporter. | Mr Carmichael had denied leaking the memo, claiming 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. |
Mr Carmichael told the election court: "I am not disputing the fact that I was south of the standard that would be expected of the (ministerial) code." | |
'Very shocked' | |
He said he agreed to the leak without seeing the memo. | |
Fiona Grahame is one of four of the Lib Dem MP's constituents who have raised the court action. | |
Giving evidence, 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. | |
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. |