Charles Kennedy has given his backing to a national energy price to cut bills for hard-pressed consumers in the Highlands.
The regional pricing system for electricity in the UK ensures that northern Scotland pays the highest rates in the country.
The Press and Journal launched a campaign for an overhaul of the policy last year, prompting UK ministers to pledge to take action to peg prices to the next highest region.
But Mr Kennedy and many Highland campaigners want them to go further and introduce a national rate, which would cut bills in the north, but lead to rises elsewhere.
The former Liberal Democrat leader, who is facing a tough fight to hold his Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat next month, said: “I want to make my commitment clear. Local people should be paying a lot less, that’s what national fixed pricing can achieve.
“It means no matter where you live in the UK you will pay the same for your distribution cost. This is about putting the Highlands and Islands first.”
He added: “Considering the Highlands contributes vastly to energy creation yet suffers worrying levels of fuel poverty it is simply unjust that
