Lib Dem blow as candidate quits in fury at expenses scandal MPs

Published on Wednesday 8 July 2009 22:02

A SENIOR Scottish Liberal Democrat has stepped down as a Westminster candidate and threatened to quit the party because of his disgust over the MPs' expenses scandal.

Stuart Currie, the deputy leader of East Lothian Council, has been left disillusioned by the scandal which has overwhelmed Westminster politics.

Mr Currie did not name any single member in an interview with his local paper, but he is reportedly most disappointed with the way that distinguished politicians from his party have been implicated.

Mr Currie has also resigned as convener of the East Lothian Liberal Democrats and is considering quitting the party.

"More and more details about the MPs' expenses are coming out every day," he said. "When you start to see the names of people from your own party emerging from the woodwork you start to think to yourself – can I really stand and share a platform with these people?"

The party is on its third candidate in two years for top Scottish target Aberdeen South and has only four listed on its website.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: "It's disappointing, but Mr Currie obviously has his own reasons. We don't think this has damaged our chances of success at the next general election."

Acting East Lothian party convener Judy Riley said: "We are saddened by Stuart Currie's decision. The Liberal Democrats in East Lothian will continue to work hard to reverse years of decline under Labour."

There are unconfirmed reports Mr Currie did not have the total support of local party members, with 14 reportedly voting against him at the selection meeting, even though he was the only choice.

Mr Currie was unavailable for comment on the issue.

&#149 A bid to delay legislation aimed at cleaning up Westminster in the wake of the expenses scandal failed last night.

An amendment to the Parliamentary Standards Bill which would have forced the government to wait 14 days between today's second reading and the committee stage was rejected by 110 votes to 88, giving the government a majority of 22.