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Scottish Secretary Michael Moore sacked in Lib Dem reshuffle Scottish Secretary Michael Moore sacked in Lib Dem reshuffle
(about 1 hour later)
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has been sacked in a reshuffle of the Liberal Democrats' senior team at Westminster.Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has been sacked in a reshuffle of the Liberal Democrats' senior team at Westminster.
He is being replaced by the Lib Dems' current chief whip, Alistair Carmichael.He is being replaced by the Lib Dems' current chief whip, Alistair Carmichael.
The move comes less than a year before the people of Scotland vote in a referendum on independence.The move comes less than a year before the people of Scotland vote in a referendum on independence.
Mr Moore is thought to be the only cabinet minister on the Lib Dem side of the coalition to lose his job.Mr Moore is thought to be the only cabinet minister on the Lib Dem side of the coalition to lose his job.
The party's UK leader Nick Clegg said that someone with a "different experience" was needed in the final year running up to the referendum itself.The party's UK leader Nick Clegg said that someone with a "different experience" was needed in the final year running up to the referendum itself.
BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor blogged that Mr Carmichael has a "secure reputation as a combative Lib Dem chief whip" plus a "dry wit and a cool head".BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor blogged that Mr Carmichael has a "secure reputation as a combative Lib Dem chief whip" plus a "dry wit and a cool head".
The MP for Orkney and Shetland was appointed a whip following the coalition agreement in 2010.The MP for Orkney and Shetland was appointed a whip following the coalition agreement in 2010.
In September last year he took over from Jo Swinson as deputy leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.In September last year he took over from Jo Swinson as deputy leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
BBC Scotland's Westminster correspondent Tim Reid reported that Mr Moore believed he had done his job "pretty effectively" and that he was "very disappointed" by the move.BBC Scotland's Westminster correspondent Tim Reid reported that Mr Moore believed he had done his job "pretty effectively" and that he was "very disappointed" by the move.
Mr Moore tweeted that it had been a great privilege to serve as Scottish secretary and he wished Mr Carmichael "all the best".Mr Moore tweeted that it had been a great privilege to serve as Scottish secretary and he wished Mr Carmichael "all the best".
After the news broke, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her "best wishes" to Mr Moore.After the news broke, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her "best wishes" to Mr Moore.
She added: "A tough opponent but always pleasant. He can take pride in the achievement of the Edinburgh Agreement."She added: "A tough opponent but always pleasant. He can take pride in the achievement of the Edinburgh Agreement."
Mr Moore is constituency MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk and has served at Westminster since 1997.Mr Moore is constituency MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk and has served at Westminster since 1997.
He played a key role in the negotiations which led to the Edinburgh Agreement in October last year.He played a key role in the negotiations which led to the Edinburgh Agreement in October last year.
The deal set out terms for a Scottish independence referendum and was signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond in Scotland's capital.The deal set out terms for a Scottish independence referendum and was signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond in Scotland's capital.
Liberal Democrat party leader Nick Clegg has thanked Mr Moore for his work in the post, which he was given three years ago.Liberal Democrat party leader Nick Clegg has thanked Mr Moore for his work in the post, which he was given three years ago.
In a letter to the MP, Mr Clegg said: "Not only have you successfully piloted through legislation to enable Scotland to take a major step towards the party's long held goal of Home Rule, but you have also ensured that the referendum next year will give the Scottish people a clear and decisive question on which to cast their vote.In a letter to the MP, Mr Clegg said: "Not only have you successfully piloted through legislation to enable Scotland to take a major step towards the party's long held goal of Home Rule, but you have also ensured that the referendum next year will give the Scottish people a clear and decisive question on which to cast their vote.
"It should be recognised that you secured both the Scotland Act and the Edinburgh Agreement in the context of a majority SNP government at Holyrood, and against a backdrop of an external political narrative that often suggested the legislation would fail and a referendum agreement could not be secured.""It should be recognised that you secured both the Scotland Act and the Edinburgh Agreement in the context of a majority SNP government at Holyrood, and against a backdrop of an external political narrative that often suggested the legislation would fail and a referendum agreement could not be secured."
He added: "I believe we now need to draw on different experience in the final year running up to the referendum itself and I am keen that just as we have benefited from your formidable skills over the past three years that we take advantage of other experience within our ranks during this period."He added: "I believe we now need to draw on different experience in the final year running up to the referendum itself and I am keen that just as we have benefited from your formidable skills over the past three years that we take advantage of other experience within our ranks during this period."
Mr Moore responded by saying it was a "hugely important" time for Scottish politics.Mr Moore responded by saying it was a "hugely important" time for Scottish politics.
In a letter to Mr Clegg, he said that taking the Scotland Act through parliament and negotiating the Edinburgh Agreement had been highlights of his time in office.In a letter to Mr Clegg, he said that taking the Scotland Act through parliament and negotiating the Edinburgh Agreement had been highlights of his time in office.
He added: "Over the last few years I have worked with a superb team of civil servants and advisers in the Scotland Office, and other government departments, in very challenging circumstances.He added: "Over the last few years I have worked with a superb team of civil servants and advisers in the Scotland Office, and other government departments, in very challenging circumstances.
"I do not think the support teams for ministers always get the credit they deserve: I am very grateful for the support they have given me."I do not think the support teams for ministers always get the credit they deserve: I am very grateful for the support they have given me.
"In leaving the Scotland Office I am pleased that Alistair will be succeeding me. As a good friend and long time colleague, I believe he will do a superb job. I wish him all the best.""In leaving the Scotland Office I am pleased that Alistair will be succeeding me. As a good friend and long time colleague, I believe he will do a superb job. I wish him all the best."
Meanwhile, in other reshuffle news concerning Scots MPs, Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy has been moved from that post to the international development brief.
The announcement was made by Labour Party leader Ed Miliband who, along with the Lib Dems and the Tories, have begun reshuffling their top team.