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| Minister quits after Trident vote | Minister quits after Trident vote |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has resigned from the Scottish government after voting with the SNP over the replacement of Trident. | Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has resigned from the Scottish government after voting with the SNP over the replacement of Trident. |
| He was one of four Labour members who supported the SNP's motion opposing the replacement of the nuclear submarines. | He was one of four Labour members who supported the SNP's motion opposing the replacement of the nuclear submarines. |
| In his resignation letter, Mr Chisholm said he knew his vote had made his position untenable. | In his resignation letter, Mr Chisholm said he knew his vote had made his position untenable. |
| The Scottish Parliament failed to agree a position on the future of the Clyde-based fleet. | The Scottish Parliament failed to agree a position on the future of the Clyde-based fleet. |
| Mr Chisholm has already spoken out against the UK Government's plans to replace the nuclear submarines, which are based at Faslane. | Mr Chisholm has already spoken out against the UK Government's plans to replace the nuclear submarines, which are based at Faslane. |
| I understand Malcolm's position and have accepted his resignation Jack McConnellFirst Minister href="/1/hi/scotland/6201895.stm" class="">A second resignation | |
| In his resignation letter, he told First Minister Jack McConnell: "It is with deep regret that I find myself unable to accept the official Labour position on the issue of Trident today. | In his resignation letter, he told First Minister Jack McConnell: "It is with deep regret that I find myself unable to accept the official Labour position on the issue of Trident today. |
| "In those circumstances, notwithstanding the fact that it is a reserved issue, I realise that it is not tenable for me to continue as one of your ministers." | "In those circumstances, notwithstanding the fact that it is a reserved issue, I realise that it is not tenable for me to continue as one of your ministers." |
| The MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith said that while they disagreed over the Trident issue, he and the first minister would be "completely united" on the party's other policies. | The MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith said that while they disagreed over the Trident issue, he and the first minister would be "completely united" on the party's other policies. |
| Mr McConnell said: "Malcolm Chisholm has made a substantial contribution to devolved government in Scotland in both the health and communities portfolios, and I am very grateful for that. | Mr McConnell said: "Malcolm Chisholm has made a substantial contribution to devolved government in Scotland in both the health and communities portfolios, and I am very grateful for that. |
| "But I understand Malcolm's position and have accepted his resignation." | "But I understand Malcolm's position and have accepted his resignation." |
| Faslane is home to the Trident submarine fleet | Faslane is home to the Trident submarine fleet |
| SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Mr Chisholm for taking "a principled stance" and described his resignation as a "body blow" for the first minister. | SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Mr Chisholm for taking "a principled stance" and described his resignation as a "body blow" for the first minister. |
| "Only two weeks ago Mr McConnell told all MSPs to act with their conscience and now it appears that he cannot stand to have anyone with integrity in his own cabinet," she said. | "Only two weeks ago Mr McConnell told all MSPs to act with their conscience and now it appears that he cannot stand to have anyone with integrity in his own cabinet," she said. |
| "The first minister has failed to stand up for Scotland on the issue of Trident and has time and time again rolled over to his London bosses. | "The first minister has failed to stand up for Scotland on the issue of Trident and has time and time again rolled over to his London bosses. |
| "This whole issue demonstrates just how out of touch he is with the Scottish public and even members of his own party." | "This whole issue demonstrates just how out of touch he is with the Scottish public and even members of his own party." |
| The SNP's motion was defeated by 72 to 45, while three amendments - lodged by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives - were also defeated. | The SNP's motion was defeated by 72 to 45, while three amendments - lodged by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives - were also defeated. |
| The other Labour rebels were Bill Butler, Elaine Smith and Marlyn Glenn. | The other Labour rebels were Bill Butler, Elaine Smith and Marlyn Glenn. |
| Mr Chisholm's successor is not expected to be announced until next year. | Mr Chisholm's successor is not expected to be announced until next year. |