Alistair Carmichael rules out leadership bid

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael MP. Picture: Greg Macvean

The Orkney and Shetland MP had been considered as a contender to replace Nick Clegg whenever he steps down.

Polling suggests the Lib Dems could lose many of their seats across the UK in May’s general election.

Mr Carmichael’s seat is considered to be one of the party’s safest.

Asked by the Press and Journal newspaper if he would like to be party leader, Mr Carmichael said: “No. There’s no vacancy and I have the constituency that is furthest away from London.

“My family already miss out on a lot just by virtue of the fact that I’m an MP and I’m a minister and I’m away from home every week.”

Mr Carmichael, who replaced Michael Moore as Scottish Secretary in October 2013, did not rule out continuing to have a role in the Scotland Office if the Lib Dems enter another coalition after the May vote.

“Who has a job anywhere is a job for the PM and DPM, that’s well above my pay grade,” he told the newspaper.

“I have loved every second of being a minister but I’ve loved every second of being an MP.”