Three throw names into hat in Lib Dem leadership battle

LIBERAL Democrats could face a three-way choice for a new leader to replace Nicol Stephen after his shock resignation last night.

Finance spokesman Tavish Scott is seen as the favourite and the choice of the party establishment to take over the reins. But Mike Rumbles, who challenged Mr Stephen for the job three years ago, said he would be standing again.

Borders MSP Jeremy Purvis said he was also considering putting his name forward.

Edinburgh West MSP Margaret Smith, the party's justice spokeswoman at Holyrood, ruled herself out of the contest.

Mr Stephen took colleagues by surprise with his decision to quit, which came just four days after Wendy Alexander resigned as Scottish Labour leader. He said the stresses and strains on family life had become too much.

The Aberdeen South MSP has four children between the ages of four and 12. It is understood he brought his family down to Edinburgh, but they failed to settle and returned to Aberdeen.

Wife Caris is also believed to have been unwell recently.

Mr Stephen said his hunger for change in Scotland was no less now than when he started in politics 25 years ago.

But he added: "That drive and that passion comes at a price. And it is a sacrifice that my family should no longer have to make. Their happiness is more important than any political office."

MSPs admitted they had been shocked by Mr Stephen's announcement.

One said: "He went round everyone before we broke up, chatting about holiday plans, and there was nothing to suggest he was even contemplating this."

The last Scottish Lib Dem leadership election in 2005 saw Mr Stephen win 76.6 per cent of the vote among party members and Mr Rumbles 23.4 per cent.

Mr Rumbles said he was heartened by the number of people who had urged him to stand again.

He said he wanted the Lib Dems to be a party championing people's freedom to go about their daily lives with the minimum of government interference.

Mr Purvis, currently the party's education spokesman, said he had also been urged to put his name forward. He said: "I will be considering and pondering that."

Mrs Smith said she would not be standing. She said: "The price we expect from our political leaders is just ridiculous.

"When you look at what happened to Wendy Alexander and others, I see no reason why anyone should want to do it."

But she paid tribute to Mr Stephen's record as leader. She said: "I'm very sorry to see him go. He was a very cohesive leader, everyone's value was noted and ideas and views taken on board.

"If anyone landed a glove on Alex Salmond at First Minister's Questions it was Nicol Stephen."

Candidates for the leadership require the nomination of at least one other MSP. And the result will be decided by a one-member-one-vote ballot of all party members.

Party convener Audrey Findlay said the process was likely to conclude by September.