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-scotland-politics-23997901
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Michael Moore seeks talks over disgraced MSP Bill Walker | Michael Moore seeks talks over disgraced MSP Bill Walker |
| (about 1 hour 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 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". |
| A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said: "The presiding officer looks forward to receiving the Secretary of State for Scotland's letter and to working constructively with him and party leaders on this important issue." | |
| Walker, from Alloa, carried out the attacks against his three ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995. | Walker, from Alloa, 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. |
| He was ejected from the SNP when the domestic abuse allegations surfaced. | He was ejected from the SNP when the domestic abuse allegations surfaced. |
| 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. |
| 'Right outcome' | 'Right outcome' |
| First Minister Alex Salmond believes Holyrood should be given power over the disqualification of MSPs "without delay" and has written to UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg urging action. | First Minister Alex Salmond believes Holyrood should be given power over the disqualification of MSPs "without delay" and has written to UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg urging action. |
| In the meantime, the Scottish secretary plans to write to the leaders of Scotland's political parties and presiding officer Tricia Marwick proposing talks on the issue. | In the meantime, 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." |
| Mr Salmond, who has already called on Walker to resign, told Mr Clegg there was "an unanswerable case that these are matters that the Scottish Parliament should be in a position to address on its own account rather than relying on Westminster". | Mr Salmond, who has already called on Walker to resign, told Mr Clegg there was "an unanswerable case that these are matters that the Scottish Parliament should be in a position to address on its own account rather than relying on Westminster". |
| The first minister and other politicians have already demanded that Walker quit, with an overwhelming majority of MSPs having signed a motion submitted by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie urging him to step down. | The first minister and other politicians have already demanded that Walker quit, with an overwhelming majority of MSPs having signed a motion submitted by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie urging him to step down. |
| Power of recall | Power of recall |
| Mr Salmond told Mr Clegg: "The fact is that the existing devolution settlement means that the Scottish Parliament does not have the necessary competence to legislate in this area. | Mr Salmond told Mr Clegg: "The fact is that the existing devolution settlement means that the Scottish Parliament does not have the necessary competence to legislate in this area. |
| "It is my clear view that the Scottish Parliament should have the ability to decide for itself the arrangements for the disqualification of its own members. | "It is my clear view that the Scottish Parliament should have the ability to decide for itself the arrangements for the disqualification of its own members. |
| "I would therefore urge that, without delay, you put in hand the necessary steps to provide the Scottish Parliament with legislative competence over parliamentary disqualification and the recall of MSPs." | "I would therefore urge that, without delay, you put in hand the necessary steps to provide the Scottish Parliament with legislative competence over parliamentary disqualification and the recall of MSPs." |
| Currently, the UK Parliament has no power of recall for MPs, but the coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats states they will bring forward legislation to "introduce a power of recall allowing voters to force a by-election where an MP is found to have engaged in serious wrongdoing and having had a petition calling for a by-election signed by 10% of his or her constituents". | Currently, the UK Parliament has no power of recall for MPs, but the coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats states they will bring forward legislation to "introduce a power of recall allowing voters to force a by-election where an MP is found to have engaged in serious wrongdoing and having had a petition calling for a by-election signed by 10% of his or her constituents". |