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Alistair-Carmichael-Orkney-and-Shetland-MP-Main_article_image.jpg
David Cheskin/PA Wire
UK News

Christian MP to continue after leaked memo controversy

by Hannah Tooley

The former Scottish secretary said that he was "pleased" a legal challenge brought by some of his constituents following a row over a leaked memo had been dismissed.

Four constituents tried to remove him from his Orkney and Shetland seat claiming that he misled voters with his actions surrounding the leaking of a confidential memo.

It wrongly claimed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted David Cameron to remain in Downing Street, before May's general election.

The four argued that his actions called into question his integrity as an individual and his suitability to represent the constituency at Westminster.

Mr Carmichael is the only remaining Liberal Democrat MP in Scotland after the SNP landslide in May's general election, he said: "I am pleased with the decision of the court.

"Although I was always confident of winning, the last few months have been a difficult and stressful time for me and my family."

Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Euphemia Matheson (right) and Fiona Grahame, two of Alistair Carmichael's constituents who lodged a petition to oust him.

He maintains that the case was politically motivated: "It was a deliberate attempt by nationalists to remove the last Scottish Liberal voice at Westminster and is a mark of the unhealthy polarisation of Scottish politics since the referendum.

"I shall continue to represent Orkney and Shetland as a Member of Parliament to the best of my ability, as I have done for the past 14 years.

"These are very special communities and it is where my wife and I have made our home and where we are bringing up our family.

"The interests of the Northern Isles have always been, and always will be, my first priority. It remains an honour and a privilege to be their Member of Parliament."

Judges said Mr Carmichael had told a "blatant lie" during a Channel 4 interview in April regarding the leaked memo but they ruled that it had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt that he had committed an "illegal practice".

The reaction on Twitter has not been as positive:

Party leader Tim Farron said the ruling by judges at the Election Court was the "right outcome" and the Scottish leader Willie Rennie said: "The Scottish judicial system has vindicated Alistair's election as MP for Orkney and Shetland.

"This was the right outcome and Alistair's focus will remain on delivering for the people of Orkney and Shetland in Parliament."

The four that brought the case against Mr Carmichael said they were disappointed with the result: "The case has been lost on the slimmest of legal technicalities.

"It is more of a loss for Alistair Carmichael than a win.

"We are disappointed but see the win as caveated by damning comments on Mr Carmichael's behaviour by the judges."

Following the disruption earlier in the year there was a rumour that activists wanted to have Alistair Carmichael removed from his position as a church elder.

The Herald Scotland reported that following the accusations against him an online twitter account for the SNP's Lossiemouth, Hopeman and Burghead Branch revealed that it was planning to complain to the Church of Scotland to remove him from his voluntary religious role.

However the account was closed down and the SNP denied being affiliated with it, a spokesperson for the SNP said: "This Tweet does not represent the view of the SNP or the branch. The account has now been closed down."

It has been reported that the deleted tweet read: "According to Wikipedia #CarmichaelMustGo is an ordained Elder of The Church of Scotland - which parish/presbytery - anyone know?"

The user then went onto to say that they were planning on having Mr Carmichael removed from the voluntary post, however these tweets no longer exist.

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