Nicola Sturgeon has said she “absolutely” understands a court decision to bill a former Scottish Secretary for around £150,000 after constituents unsuccessfully challenged his election.
Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael had made a bid for legal expenses after four individuals attempted to oust him from his Orkney and Shetland seat because he lied about a leaked memo centring on the First Minister ahead of last May’s general election.
Election Court judges Lady Paton and Lord Matthews rejected the plea in December but the petitioners were deemed not to be liable for costs on Monday.
Asked about that ruling Ms Sturgeon said: “That is a decision for a court. The court took the decision. I can absolutely understand the reasoning of the court in reaching that decision but I will leave it up to the court.”
The case centred on a Channel 4 interview in which Mr Carmichael denied having prior knowledge of the memo leak which claimed Ms Sturgeon wanted a Conservative general election victory.
Following a Cabinet Office inquiry, he later admitted he had allowed his special adviser Euan Roddin to release details of the document.
Sturgeon says she “absolutely” understands Carmichael court fees decision
