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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Scottish MEP quits Brexit Party to sit as independent | Scottish MEP quits Brexit Party to sit as independent |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Scotland's only Brexit Party MEP has resigned from the party and will now sit as an independent. | Scotland's only Brexit Party MEP has resigned from the party and will now sit as an independent. |
| Louis Stedman-Bryce was elected to the European Parliament in May, when the Brexit Party finished second in the election in Scotland. | Louis Stedman-Bryce was elected to the European Parliament in May, when the Brexit Party finished second in the election in Scotland. |
| However he has now quit, saying his "personal values" are "in direct conflict with those of the party". | However he has now quit, saying his "personal values" are "in direct conflict with those of the party". |
| He said he remained committed to Brexit and its backers in Scotland, and would "fight on" to represent them as an MEP. | He said he remained committed to Brexit and its backers in Scotland, and would "fight on" to represent them as an MEP. |
| Mr Stedman-Bryce, who is openly gay, claimed the Brexit Party had selected a Scottish candidate who has "posted homophobic views across social media", something he called a "betrayal of the LGBT community". | Mr Stedman-Bryce, who is openly gay, claimed the Brexit Party had selected a Scottish candidate who has "posted homophobic views across social media", something he called a "betrayal of the LGBT community". |
| In a video posted on social media, he also said the party had "repeatedly failed to deliver" on its promises. | In a video posted on social media, he also said the party had "repeatedly failed to deliver" on its promises. |
| He said: "The Brexit Party's position on Brexit may have changed, but mine has not - I remain committed to Brexit and to the people of Scotland who voted for me, and I will fight on unhindered as an independent MEP to ensure our voice is heard." | He said: "The Brexit Party's position on Brexit may have changed, but mine has not - I remain committed to Brexit and to the people of Scotland who voted for me, and I will fight on unhindered as an independent MEP to ensure our voice is heard." |
| Mr Stedman-Bryce had earlier resigned as a Brexit Party candidate for the snap general election campaign in protest at the party's decision not to contest Conservative-held seats. | Mr Stedman-Bryce had earlier resigned as a Brexit Party candidate for the snap general election campaign in protest at the party's decision not to contest Conservative-held seats. |
| Party leader Nigel Farage said he was "a bit confused" by the move, saying Mr Stedman-Bryce had proposed the strategy of not standing against Conservatives in the first place. | Party leader Nigel Farage said he was "a bit confused" by the move, saying Mr Stedman-Bryce had proposed the strategy of not standing against Conservatives in the first place. |
| A spokesman for the Brexit Party said they were "sad to see Louis Stedman-Bryce go", and said they would "always oppose bigotry and fight for a proper Brexit". |