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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Michael Moore seeks talks over disgraced MSP Bill Walker | Michael Moore seeks talks over disgraced MSP Bill Walker |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The secretary of state for Scotland is to write to Holyrood's presiding officer and political leaders urging talks about disgraced MSP Bill Walker. | |
| The 71-year-old was convicted of 23 domestic abuse charges but has refused to resign his Scottish Parliament seat. | The 71-year-old was convicted of 23 domestic abuse charges but has refused to resign his Scottish Parliament seat. |
| In the rules, laid down by Westminster, parliamentarians are only automatically expelled if they are jailed for more than a year. | In the rules, laid down by Westminster, parliamentarians are only automatically expelled if they are jailed for more than a year. |
| Michael Moore said he wanted to find "a common solution". | Michael Moore said he wanted to find "a common solution". |
| Walker carried out the attacks against his three ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995. | Walker carried out the attacks against his three ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995. |
| The independent MSP for Dunfermline is due to be sentenced later this month and faces losing most of his salary if he is jailed. | The independent MSP for Dunfermline is due to be sentenced later this month and faces losing most of his salary if he is jailed. |
| 'Right outcome' | 'Right outcome' |
| The law states that any elected member who is imprisoned for more than a year will be disqualified. | The law states that any elected member who is imprisoned for more than a year will be disqualified. |
| But the maximum sentence that can be handed down in summary cases heard in sheriff courts in Scotland is one year, allowing Walker to remain as an MSP. | But the maximum sentence that can be handed down in summary cases heard in sheriff courts in Scotland is one year, allowing Walker to remain as an MSP. |
| The Scottish secretary plans to write to the leaders of Scotland's political parties and presiding officer Tricia Marwick proposing talks on the issue. | |
| It is understood one option to consider is that the powers on disqualification are transferred to Holyrood, where they could then be amended. | It is understood one option to consider is that the powers on disqualification are transferred to Holyrood, where they could then be amended. |
| Mr Moore said: "It is wrong for someone convicted of domestic abuse to serve as an MSP. | Mr Moore said: "It is wrong for someone convicted of domestic abuse to serve as an MSP. |
| "The right course of action would be for Bill Walker to resign. | "The right course of action would be for Bill Walker to resign. |
| "There is currently no sign that this is likely to happen and I am writing to the presiding officer and party leaders with a view to finding the right outcome to deal with all the relevant issues that this case raises." | "There is currently no sign that this is likely to happen and I am writing to the presiding officer and party leaders with a view to finding the right outcome to deal with all the relevant issues that this case raises." |