Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has said that Ross County’s recent history shows that standing areas at football stadiums can be safe.
The MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber said he would back the Staggies if they moved to try to bring back terracing.
The Jail End and the North Stand at the Global Energy Stadium, formerly Victoria Park, were standing areas until a redevelopment in 2012 following County’s promotion to the top flight.
Mr Kennedy said: “The Liberal Democrats believe football clubs should be allowed to introduce safe standing areas where there is a desire to do so.
“Safe standing is allowed in many other sports and we do not believe that the top level of football should be an exception.
“We are not calling for a return of the terraces of the 1980s.
” In my own constituency, Ross County FC, previous to an all-seater upgrade, has had a track record of safe use of standing in high capacity games.
“These new proposals for modern safe standing areas now use ‘rail seating’ and operate very successfully in top tier football across Europe.”
He added: “This is an idea whose time has come and I am more than happy to support clubs, like Ross County FC in my constituency, who have indicated their preference to move introduce safe-standing.”