McArthur backs Westminster colleague

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has spoken for the first time since Friday’s news that Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael had admitted responsibility for the leak of a Scottish Office memo.

In a statement, issued this afternoon, Mr McArthur said: “I have known Alistair for more than a decade, and had the good fortune to work with him closely over the last eight years.  Over that time, I have seen how hard he has worked for the people of Orkney and Shetland.

“I recognise that Alistair’s error of judgment has left constituents feeling let down.  It is right that he has apologised for what I believe was an aberration on his part and I hope that this will now be accepted so that we can move on.   I know Alistair remains committed to getting on with doing the work he was elected to do, serving the people of Orkney and Shetland, as he has done with great diligence over the last 14 years.

“At the same time, I find difficult to understand why nationalist politicians and members of the Yes campaign appear to believe that others should be held to higher standards than those they happily tolerate amongst their own.”