First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this afternoon said she accepted Alistair Carmichael’s apology after the former Scottish secretary accepted responsibility for a leaked memo which alleged she wanted David Cameron to win the general election.
However, Sturgeon said Carmichael owed his constituents an apology and said he should consider his position as an MP.
Speaking this evening the SNP leader said: “I accept his apology, but the real issue is that he should be apologising to the people of Orkney and Shetland, because he clearly contested the election on false pretences.
“Mr Carmichael said at the time that the first he was aware of this matter was when he received a call from a journalist, but we now know that this is simply untrue.
“The false memo was leaked by a special adviser acting under the authority of Mr Carmichael. He knew all about it, but said in public that he knew nothing until a journalist phoned him.
“As well as the original dirty trick, which was bad enough, Mr Carmichael then tried to cover it up – and is only admitting it now because he got caught.
“He needs to seriously reflect on that – and reflect on whether his actions and attempt to cover them up are consistent with his position as an honourable member of the House of Commons.”