Published: Wednesday, 11th January, 2006 10:25
Moore says Kennedy right to stand down
By Border Telegraph Newsroom
Print Article
BORDERS MP, Michael Moore, insists that former Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, was right to stand down.
But Mr Moore also defended his part in the episode, after it emerged that he was one of 11 Lib Dem MPs to call for Mr Kennedy’s resignation before Christmas.
The 11 MPs signed a letter urging Mr Kennedy to stand down, prior to his public admission that he had a problem with alcohol.
Mr Moore said: “The letter said that the present situation was unsustainable, and it invited him to consider his position.
“It basically said that the group were concerned for the future of the party, and given the facts of the situation, which have become rather more public than they were at the time, this was the best course of action.”
But Mr Moore was not among a group of 25 MPs, who warned on Friday that they would resign if Mr Kennedy did not fall on his sword.
Mr Moore said: “I was not part of that.
“I indicated my personal view to him, and met him one-to-one before Christmas, where I expressed my concerns on a number of levels.
“I didn’t believe that the letter which appeared on Friday was something that was appropriate to be part of.
“But that is not to duck my view that, for very sad reasons, the leadership by Charles Kennedy had come to the point that the best course of action was for him to stand down.”
Although Mr Moore would not be drawn on making a comment on the conduct of the 25 MPs, Borders Lib Dem MSP, Jeremy Purvis, was scathing in his assessment.
He said: “The first letter was from a number of members of the shadow cabinet who were unsatisfied with Charles, and felt that changes needed to be made in the way he was leading the party.
“I appreciate that, but my frustration was with some comments from my English colleagues. I don’t include Mike in that at all.
“I think his behaviour has been exemplary, but some of the public comments made by others have made me very angry indeed.
“Charles Kennedy has conducted himself with a dignity that some of my English colleagues have lacked over the last few days.”
Mr Moore was also full of praise for Mr Kennedy’s actions.
He said: “It was done with immense dignity and courage, and it has been a very difficult time for everybody.
Mr Moore will now throw his weight behind Sir Menzies Campbell in any leadership race.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
'Missing' man found safe and well