Carmichael legal fees fundraiser launched

A crowd-funding campaign has been set up to help pay the legal fees of Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael.

Entitled Help Alistair and stop the SNP, the fundraiser was set up on Tuesday by Aberdeen woman Sheila Ritchie, who described the legal case against Mr Camichael as an “SNP witch hunt”.

On the site, Ms Ritchie says: “Everyone in the Northern Isles knows someone who Alistair has helped, and he has fought so hard for his constituents. 

“During the election he made a mistake which the SNP has blown out of all proportion. They are using a vague law to try and overturn the election result, even though what he did is not related at all to his hard work on behalf of his constituents.”

She adds: “This is nothing more than a ruthless attempt by the SNP to eliminate any remaining opposition to them in Scotland. Alistair is a fantastic local MP, and we need to stand up for him now.

“He has told me that his defence will cost £50,000. That’s a lot of money.”

Mr Carmichael told The Orcadian this week that he is “receiving no help with my legal fees from public funds.”

At the time of writing, the online campaign has raised £2,865.

A legal challenge to the election of Mr Carmichael took place on Monday and Tuesday this week, and has been adjourned while judges, Lady Paton and Lord Matthews, consider the submissions.