A retired North-east MP has admitted that politicians tell “brazen lies”- as a defence of a former colleague.
Liberal Democrat Sir Malcom Bruce represented the Gordon constituency for 32 years before retiring before the general election this month.
Alex Salmond took the seat for the SNP with a huge swing.
But now Sir Malcom has stepped into the controversy surrounding he actions of ex-Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael.
Orkney and Shetland MP Mr Carmichael has admitted he backed the leaking of a memo during the election campaign incorrectly suggesting Nicola Sturgeon wanted David Cameron as prime minister.
He has faced calls to resign his position as MP and seek re-election.
But Sir Malcom told the BBC: “I’m acknowledging that if (Mr Carmichael) has said ‘I didn’t know about something I did know in the heated atmosphere of an election campaign’ that was part of
the mistake, which he has apologised for.
“My point is if you’re suggesting every MP who has never quite told the truth or indeed told a brazen lie, including ministers, including Cabinet ministers, including prime ministers, we’d clear out the House of Commons very fast, I would suggest.”
Asked if he was suggesting that lying in public life is widespread, Sir Malcolm replied: “No. Well, yes – I think the answer is lots of people have told lies and you know that to be perfectly true.
“The point I’m making is we should, of course, hold people to account and if people lie they should take some consequences.
“But Alistair has taken consequences. He has apologised. He’s indicated had he been a minister he would resign. He’s forfeited his severance pay.
“I believe it’s perfectly reasonable for him to be able to say ‘I must now be allowed to get on with the job I was elected to do as the Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland’, a part of
the country which needs people like Alistair Carmichael.”
On the SNP, Sir Malcolm also said: “They have managed to win 56 of 59 seats in Scotland on just about half of the vote. Scotland is a divided and bruised country at the moment with just one Liberal Democrat, one Conservative and one Labour, and the SNP are quite clearly wanting to extinguish all opposition in Scotland.
“That’s their objective and they will stop at nothing to do it – and their own record on mistakes and misleading of Parliament does not bear close examination.”