Trident rebel Chisholm says resignation 'only choice'

Published on Friday 22 December 2006 12:09

CITY MSP Malcolm Chisholm today spoke of his regret at resigning as Communities Minister after voting against Labour's official line on replacing Trident.

But he said: "I didn't have any choice."

Mr Chisholm was among four Labour MSPs who voted with the SNP against the Westminster government's intention to renew Britain's nuclear deterrent.

Defence is a Westminster issue, but First Minister Jack McConnell and the Scottish Labour leadership have backed Tony Blair's line on the issue.

It is widely believed Mr Chisholm was told he could not remain a minister in the Scottish Executive after voting the way he did in yesterday's debate.

But the MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith, told the Evening News: "I had made my position absolutely clear on television two weeks ago. It was just not credible to take a different stance now.

"People have to speak up on an important issue and in my view, even if you are a minister, there is not an issue when it is a reserved matter.

"People need to get a lot more relaxed about that. I hope the Scottish Parliament will develop in such a way that that becomes part of the culture."

Church of Scotland Moderator the Rt Rev Alan McDonald, a leading opponent of Trident, praised Mr Chisholm's stance and said he hoped it had not been a forced resignation.

He said: "I was encouraged to hear he had taken this stand. How parties run their internal affairs is up to them, but what does it say about politics in this country is people are not able to use their consciences as they vote?"

Terry Randell, chairman of Mr Chisholm's local party, said that he shared the MSP's views on Trident and regretted his resignation.